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Moline to Chicago--A Dog's Tail by Winston

FDA--The New FEMA

Another example of the FDA protecting big business instead of the consumer. Back in September 2009 the FDA conducted routine testing of pig ears made by Pet Carousel. The test results detected a positive reading for Salmonella. But NO warning was issued to consumers and NO Product Recall was mandated. For two months pet owners have been purchasing pig ears that could cause diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting and, in some cases, "ONLY" a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain in their beloved dogs. "ONLY" fever and abdominal pain. ONLY????

And it's not just dogs that could have been affected by the FDA's lack of immediate action. Infected dogs can infect other animals or humans. People infected with Salmonella may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Salmonella infection in humans can also cause arterial infections, inflammation of the heart, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract problems.

So, even though the FDA SHOULD HAVE issued an IMMEDIATE warning and mandatory Product Recall for the pig ears, they didn't. They protected big business instead of the consumer. They ran further tests.

Further tests of the manufacturing facility in Sanger, California found Salmonella in beef hooves, pig ears and in the manufacturing environment itself. FINALLY on November 5th the FDA issues a health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella, and is now advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets. But still no Product Recall???????

As we wrote in response to Horst's posting in Dogster's For the Love of Dog Blog (we'll really miss you, buddy), while we appreciate the warning now, two months later, we would have rather had two warnings–one back in September on the contaminated product first tested (along with a Product Recall) and then another in November on the additional products that the FDA found contaminated, again with a Product Recall. People have been purchasing contaminated product for two months. No Product Recall has been issued. Just an Advisory Warning. This is UNACCEPTABLE!

NEWSFLASH, "Sick"...

Disgraced QB Michael "Sick", speaking for the HSUS to a small group at a church: “Who knows what could have happened at 3 in the morning when you’re fighting dogs?” he said. “It’s almost like being involved in the streets, dealing drugs, in criminal life.”

NEWSFLASH, "Sick". Fighting Dogs to the death and killing dogs that don't "perform" IS criminal life. Nothing "almost" about it!

First Anniversary at the Bridge

One year ago I drove to the vet with one hand on the steering wheel, and one handle stroking the brown spot on the top of your head--the spot where the angel's kissed you. One year ago I had to let you go.

I tried to write a Tail of Devotion for you in February, when you celebrated your first Birthday at the Bridge. Those same thoughts crowd back into my mind today, on the eve of your First Anniversary at the Bridge.

I think about how you came to be ours. Dad and I had driven across the state of Illinois to Moline to pick up your roommate, Gipper, and bring him back to Chicago. He was going into an As Good as Gold--Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois foster home. While we were filling out the paperwork and Dad was walking Gipper around the driveway, the lady said "do you know anyone who would want a Bulldog"?

To say we were stunned would be an understatement. Your Dad had wanted a Bulldog for years--since 1973--but we could never find one up for adoption when we had a "vacancy". We followed the lady to her friend's house, where you had been kept in a crate in the basement for three months. I remember sitting on the steps leading down to the drive-way of the split-level house. The garage door opened, and there you were.

You waddled your special waddle with all your swagger and attitude over to a large landscaping rock--and watered it! Then, as if an afterthought, you glanced over and saw us. You casually shuffled over on those massive paws. You leaned in, sniffed us both, snorted, and then walked away as if to tell us we were of no consequence to you.

Fast forward a year. The strangest thing has happened. You have become my baby. My puppy. My Winstie. Your Dad, who wanted the bulldog, has had to settle for whatever attention you bestow on him when I'm not around. When I am here, you are my shadow. You don't have to be right next to me--but you have to be able to see me. Then you are content. And so am I.

When we adopted you, you were seven years old, already a senior citizen by Bulldog standards. I think the lady thought she was sending you off with us to die. But we were blessed. We had four and a half years together, though the last year and a half was rough, courtesy of Nutro and Menu Foods. But you beat them. You survived.

Oh, how I would give anything to cuddle with you again on "your" couch. Feel your big tongue wash my face--you never did anything as simple as a "lick". To stroke your so very soft and unbulldog-like fur. To plant a kiss on the brown spot on the top of your head--the spot where the angel kissed you before you were born. To scritch your ears and scratch your fuzzy butt. To hear you lay down in the doorway and start to snore.

How suddenly you were gone. A giant hole ripped out of my heart and life. I never got to tell you how much you meant to me. I hope somewhere, somehow, you know how much you were loved, and are loved. I can't believe it's been a year. It seems like yesterday. It seems like forever. I miss you so.