Trader Joe’s recalls pet food manufactured by Menu Foods:

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A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food yesterday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

“At this juncture, we’re not 100 percent sure what’s happened,” said Paul Henderson, the company’s president and chief executive officer.

The recall covers the company’s “cuts and gravy” style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6. The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Company, Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
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Daycare – Vacation Care for Dogs
Part ONE – long time care

Contrary to cats, you should NOT just leave your dog home alone for a week (or longer), just providing daily walks with a friend or a pet walking service. Your dog will definitely be very distressed, maybe bark non-stop, chew up your furniture, or else.

If you go on vacation and can’t/won’t take your dog with you, check into the possibility of bringing him to a pet sitting service. There is always the option to board him/her at a kennel/veterinarian, but in these facilities the dogs will be kept in a kennel most of the time and only taken out for regular walks. If you prefer for your best friend to be happy while you enjoy your vacation, look for institutions that keep the dogs free, not locked up. There are many pet sitters that operate from their own home, offering space only for a very limited number of dogs, mostly one to three maximum. In these places the dogs are kept together with the family and suffer less from the stress of being separated from you.
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Vacation Care for Cats

Dogs and cats are very different when it comes to daycare/vacation care. Cats prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings rather than being whisked off to some facility or a friend’s house. Unusual places, smell, people can turn the nicest, purring cat into a “curtain climber”, “couch scratcher”, refusing food, and even neglect the litter box, using carpet and furniture instead. I talk from my own experience, as my mellow, loving cat turned into a hissing maniac, literally destroying the house of a friend within a week.
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With Halloween around the corner, a few tips to keep this holiday festive and full of fun instead of turning it into a nightmare.

First and foremost keep the chocolate and sweets away from your animals. We have mentioned several times already that just a tiny bit of chocolate can be lethal for cats and dogs. Also raisins are not something you want your animals to snack on!

Some animals respond less than joyful to your favorite costume. The strange look of their owners scares many of them. Better to introduce your outfit to the animals earlier in the day, maybe during a petting session.
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If you keep your dog in the yard make sure that your animal is properly protected from the elements. An insolated doghouse in a shaded place, enough water, the removal of all toxic materials (be careful with mulch!) and a secure fence are absolutely necessary. If your dog can look over the fence by standing on his hind legs chances are that he will jump the fence. Therefore make sure it is the right height and stable, made of wood, chain, or even an electronic fence. And remember, dogs like to dig – so watch the base of the fence and do necessary repairs or add enforcement as soon as you see that he started digging.
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If you only want a dog to protect your home, better get an alarm system. A dog is first and foremost a beloved and loving family member, with the addition of a voice. A voice that will announce visitors, strangers, and eventually keep intruders out.

It is a myth that large dogs are better guard dogs. A dog will become what you make of him. If he is loved, well cared for, respected, he will grow into a loving family pet regardless of his size. He will be protective of the family and guard it.
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