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The Senior Dogs Project "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." |
| News.... January/February 2004 |
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Issues & Announcements |
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Mad Cow Disease
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 The year 2003 ended on an ominous note with the discovery of a cow on a ranch in Washington state who was sick with mad cow disease -- bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Each day the news media provide a bit more information -- where the cow was from (Canada), how old the cow was (six years), where meat from the cow's body was processed and where it was distributed (in the western US and in Guam), what probably caused the cow to become infected (eating processed feed that contained the ground up parts of another infected animal). For more details, click here.
One extremely sad piece of information that has been given prominent coverage in the past weeks is that cows who are too sick or debilitated to stand or walk are routinely slaughtered and put into the supply chain. We shudder to think of the inhumane practices that most likely lead to such illness or debilitation. Since 1998, an organization called Farm Sanctuary has pressured the government to make it illegal to incorporate sick and injured cows into the mix that goes to the meat market. Gene Bauston, co-founder and president of the sanctuary, based his case against the practice on slaughterhouse records that showed federal inspectors had approved for slaughter and sale for human consumption animals with " . . . malignant lymphoma, hepatitis, pneumonia and gangrene." For more information on this and related topics, please see the following Farm Sanctuary sites: www.NoDowners.org; www.NoVeal.org; www.BanCruelFarms.org, www.SentientBeings,org; and www.AdoptATurkey.org. It's now common knowledge that animals are raised and slaughtered in deplorable conditions with little regard for anything other than profit. We wonder what other animal-related products are contaminated -- milk, butter, cream, ice cream? Is it possible that BSE -- and other diseases -- are being transmitted to humans not only through infected cows, but through hogs and fowl, and a variety of dairy products? And, when it comes to dog food, we know that much of what is considered unfit for human consumption becomes part of our dog's dinner. We think it is desirable to pursue alternatives to a diet that depends on meat and animal-related products. We suggest you visit the Go Veg website. And, for information on companion animal nutrition, see the page on vegan diets for dogs and cats. |
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Other Harmful Elements in the Meat and Milk You Buy
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| Since we are on the E-mail list of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, we regularly receive their notices. Although our interest is primarily in reports that pertain to canine health, we received one recently that is particularly relevant to events of the moment. It involved a case in which a Permanent Injunction was obtained against the owners of a New York dairy whose cows were found to have unsafe residue levels in their tissues of penicillin and sulfadimethoxine. According to the FDA report: "A series of violative tissue samples from (name withheld for reasons of privacy) Dairy were collected from December 31, 1998, through February 15, 2002. (The) Dairy produces more than 7 million gallons of milk a year. It also ships cull cows (cows that are removed from milking because they are producing too little milk) and calves for human consumption. Under the terms of the Consent Decree, the defendants must implement systems for identifying animals, record-keeping, drug control, drug accountability, and drug residue withdrawal control."
Thanks, but, we don't think we'll buy any, even if they have agreed to start keeping records. |
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| The site for Judys Health Cafe specializes in health information as it relates to humans and pets, and also sells a select array of products. We especially like the articles that are posted and draw your attention to one by Tina Perry entitled "The Truth About Commercial Pet Food." The article begins: "Cow brains. Sheep guts. Chicken heads. Road kill. Rancid grain. These are a few of the so-called nutritionally balanced ingredients found in the commercial pet food served to companion animals every day." Read more.... | |
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Beaverton, OR --
Raises Funds for Spay/Neuter by Selling Plants and Crafts |
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POPPA, Inc., Pet Over-Population Prevention Advocates , is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation working to reduce the number of homeless companion animals in Oregon by offering a statewide spay/neuter referral and assistance service. The money for these services is raised through the sale of donated plant material at Recycled Gardens, POPPA, Inc.'s fund-raising division located in Hillsboro, OR. POPPA, Inc. recently launched a new division, the Oregon Neutermobile . The Oregon Neutermobile operates in rural areas of the state, where there is minimal access to low-cost spays and neuters. People working together CAN make animals precious again! Help POPPA wipe out animal abuse and neglect by promoting the spay or neuter of ALL pets. POPPA Inc. Pet Over-Population Prevention Advocates Inc., PO Box 5721, Beaverton OR 97006, 503-626-4070, info@poppainc.org Page last updated: URL: http://www.poppainc.org
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Compassion for Animals Promoted by Athletes
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 Are you a runner, biker, or swimmer? Do you like to compete in athletic events? If so, you'll want to know about the Ultimate Challenge In Defense of Animals (IDA). You are invited to join world-class, professional athlete Eric Harr and others to demonstrate your prowess in various events. If you don't compete, you are also welcome to join the team in a cheering capacity. And, if you can't make the organized events, you can still wear the IDA Ultimate Challenge t-shirt at your own local events, whether as a participant or cheering crowd member.
The aim of the challenge is to raise funds to help IDA promote compassion for animals. The San Francisco Half Marathon will be the first event in the Ultimate Challenge In Defense of Animals on February 1, 2004. The half marathon will wind its way through Golden Gate Park for 13.1 miles. If 13 miles seems a bit much, you can take part in the 5k fun walk/run and enjoy the scenery along the course, or you can just cheer on the sidelines. There will be many other events during the year, and you can review a list and description of those events to identify those in which you might like to participate. If you aren't the athletic or cheering type yourself, you may want to support Eric with a donation. Eric says, "I urge you to donate as much as you can ... Whether it's $5, $10, $100 or $10,000, it all makes a positive difference -- and for that, I will race these events with you in my heart and with unwavering passion and determination to help these animals. Thank you!" To find out more about Eric's planned events for The Ultimate Challenge In Defense of Animals you can visit Eric Harr's website. |
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Senior Dog Health.... a review of commonly-used drugs and a reminder of potential side effects |
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Rimadyl
There is new material to read about Rimadyl, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for dogs. In brief, "New scientific information shows that Rimadyl can cause clotting conditions such as thrombosis, ischaemia and infarctions." Read more on the srdogs.com Rimadyl page. Vets are increasingly being identified as "the weak link" in the chain of information about Rimadyl's adverse side effects that should be available to consumers. This point of view is supported on a site that includes a chat/bulletin board on which you will find reports of adverse effects and other experiences with Rimadyl: http://pills.7x2.org/rimadyl/ We were distressed to have received a number of reports in the past two months of dogs who have died while taking Rimadyl. IWe also received one report of a positive experience with Rimadyl, which is also posted. Read more..... Deramaxx Deramaxx, another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug intended for dogs, also has the potential for harmful side effects. For more information on Deramaxx, please visit the following sites: http://home.insightbb.com/~e.murray/index.html http://www.amedical.com/deramaxx.html Metacam Fatalities have been reported in connection with Metacam, another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that has effects similar to other NSAIDs. ProHeart6 There is now a site dedicated to ProHeart6. In addition to presenting information on ProHeart6, the site is updated frequently with statistics on deaths associated with the shot. Vaccinations Are you still having your vet vaccinate your dog annually? In addition to information on the srdogs.com site that explains why this is no longer considered good practice, you can read what other experts say on the Next2Kin site's vaccination page. |
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Rescue and Adoption News |
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A Wonderful New Book: -- One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter
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In a magnificent thrust in the battle against pet overpopulation and animal homelessness, two former shelter workers have produced a brilliant book entitled One at a Time. Using an innovative format of compelling photos and moving vignettes, the book chronicles the stories of 75 animals who passed through a northern California animal shelter during one week. |
| The book aims to educate the public about the tragedy of our country's animal shelters and to bring the facts home so that people might absorb the staggering statistics of death and tragedy that our shelter system supports. The book also helps to build the comprehension that each one of us can be part of the effort to make a change in this faulty system. To order the book and for additional information, visit www.NoVoiceUnheard.org | |
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Anti-puppy mill Campaign |
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 Prisoners of Greed is a campaign to shut down puppy mills. A puppy mill is a grotesque and incredibly inhumane place. According to the campaign, a puppy mill ". . . is a place that is a living hell for creatures of God. The mother of the cute puppies is probably sick, starving and exhausted. Her toenails are never clipped, so they curl over her paws. She's filthy, never bathed, never brushed. She lives in a cage that is stacked in between others on all sides. She has no shelter from the elements and will never be adopted or loved. She is alone. The only world she knows and will ever know is abuse and neglect."
The Dodge City, KS, High Plains Journal reported on the experience of Linda York, who works in animal rescue. She said, "The shocking part of the discovery of these sick sled dogs was where they came from. . . .They were being taken care of by Bible students. I find it very common that many church groups back East are using puppy mills to make money. They see nothing wrong with it. Church groups run some of the biggest and cruelest puppy mills in the world. What makes me so mad about this is that, when I had to put animals down, realizing I was send these creatures back to God, it was because so-called religious people were trying to make money from these animals by running these puppy mills." She also reported, concerning another puppy mill "bust" in which she had to care for the rescued animals: "They had had rags shoved down their throats and then their throats were pounded with hammers to pop their vocal chords so they wouldn't bark." To learn more about how you can help in the campaign to close down all puppy mills, please see the Prisoners of Greed site. |
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Can You Post a Senior Dogs Project Flyer?
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We continue to ask your help in educating people about the joys and benefits of adopting an adult dog by posting a Senior Dogs Project flyer.......
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Some Thoughts to Consider |
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| "No civilization is complete when it does not include the dumb and the defenseless of God's creatures within the sphere of charity and mercy." -- Queen Victoria
"The behavior of men to the lower animals, and their behavior to each other, bear a constant relationship." -- Herbert Spencer "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." -- Albert Schweitzer |
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So many good dogs who are over the age of five are euthanized simply because of their age and the bias most people have toward adopting puppies. Our flyer explains why adopting an older dog is such a good idea. We can e-mail a copy of the flyer to you (request Word or PDF format, and you can print it out from your computer). Just send an e-mail to: flyer @ srdogs.com (remove spaces in the address before sending) with the word "Flyer Word" or "Flyer PDF" in the subject line. We've heard from supporters that they've posted the flyer in supermarkets, shelters, churches, veterinary offices, doggie daycare centers, dog trainers' offices, parks where people walk their dogs, and community bulletin boards. So, if you have time and opportunity, we'd appreciate your printing out a copy and posting it. Thank you!