Proof that anything can be a toy to a cat. This is Charlene Butterbean from the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee—a really wonderful blog on fostering kittens. Charlene Butterbean is the resident cat who helps with the fostering. She’s a sweet pea!
No More BRAAAINS In Pet Food
(Cue zombie sound effects.) In a positive move to protect the safety of out pet’s food, the FDA is banning cow brains and spinal cords from pet food. These are the parts of the cow most likely to carry the prions that cause mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
So far, dogs appear to be immune to prion caused diseases, however, cats are at risk and can contract feline spongiform encephalopathy. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has a good article on our pets and spongiform encephalopathy.
Ratchet The Iraqi Dog Coming To U.S.
Ratchet, a stray puppy found on a burning pile of trash, was lucky enough to be rescued by Army Spc. Gwen Beberg. She took care of him and he took care of her. With the help of Baghdad Pups, she arranged to have him flown to the U.S. to live with her parents until she returns. At the last moment, the Army seized Ratchet and his future looked grim. But, now the Army has changed it’s mind and seemingly stepped back from the issue. Maj. Daniel Elliott, a spokesman for U.S. forces, said:
Ratchet is a wild dog indigenous to Iraq. A stray, befriended by a soldier. As such, we do not control him, nor can we ‘order’ him not to leave” the base.
It looks like Ratchet will be heading to his new home soon. Army Spc. Beberg may be paying a price for her efforts to save Ratchet. She is apparently facing demotion.
Don’t miss the video.
150 Yr. Old Pet Tortoise Butch Missing
Update: Butch is home!
Butch the desert tortoise is missing and it’s feared he was stolen. He has been cared for by two generations of the Carle family of Cupertino, CA and before that he belonged to a third person. This desert tortoise is a beloved member of the family who hibernates in a toolbox in the couple’s closet and has an independent streak. The family thinks Butch was taken while Penny Carle was in the hospital.
I grew up with rescued box turtles and I have to agree that they can have personalities. My parents still have one named Big Momma who is very sweet and is at least 30 yrs. old.