April Tsaotun Update:

It's been awhile since I have posted but I am posting now!

Today was the monthly visit to Tsaotun Shelter and it was a rainy one!! We were only going to go and maintain the bond and play with the doggies, but we did have some work to do, but luckily it was a VERY positive thing...NEW CAGES!!!!

Ever since I've been volunteering (since August of 2008), the old cages have been rotting, rusting, falling apart with sharp edges and wire. I have been wondering what we could do to get the new cages, but now it's ok!

We also got to take a couple of the dogs for a walk around farm fields. Ruby, Mr. B (Xiang Jao), Rory and Esmerelda were so good! But, Da Hei (Big Black) and Star need a lot more time!

All the dogs seemed to be OK except for Star (whose claw was red and swollen in the middle), Penelope (whose claw has had problems for a while), and then there was Coco. Coco has been hiding in the small shed at the shelter everytime we are there. I've never really seen her and Caroline has said that he bares her teeth with fear.

But Coco's skin condition goes up and down. Sometimes it looks like it's getting better and sometimes not. So, Caroline thought we should get Coco to a vet.

Toby has been in the vet for about a month or so due to his severe demodex and he is improving, so we decided that Coco deserves this chance too!

We had to gently put a rope around her as to muzzle her so that she wouldn't bite anyone and once we got her into the car she was EVEN more scared and shaking so bad! But Hino sat in the front seat and she laid down on the floor and during the drive home, Hino petted her and then we switched. Hino got the scooter and I got in front and stayed with Coco until we got to the vet.

I have to admit, that I was a little afraid since they said she bites when she is afraid and I was bit a few times (one time in the face) by dogs when I was a kid, but I was so amazed at how sweet and adorable she is. She didn't bite once.

When we got her to the vet, we talked to them and we found out she has or had demodex. She was so exhausted and still a little scared. But, the vet is full till Thursday so we took her to another vet until Thursday or Friday. She's a beautiful dog and I know once she heals, she will be even more beautiful. Her fur will be soft and shiny and hopefully she'll be socialized and not so afraid of humans, other dogs and etc.

Everytime we go to Tsaotun, I wish that I already had a new apartment because I want so bad to take one of the dogs home. Well, two dogs really. I love the dogs there and they give me so much love when I go. I am so happy when I go and I dread the rest of the week and month until I can see them again..or at least see other doggies.

And I am sooooo proud of Hino. 8 months ago, he was your stereotypical "I'm afraid to touch dogs because they are 'dirty'" Taiwanese person which we encounter a LOT!!

But he cuddles with the dogs, hugs them, pets them and even puts his face up their nose and lets them give him kissies which he refused to do 8 months ago!! :) I am so proud and I cant wait till we get a dog to be a fambly!!

Here is the link to our little Tsaotun visit today :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=110597&id=537854407&l=ea49fce798

February Trip to Tsaotun

This past Sunday, about ten of us went to the Tsaotun shelter, to help clean and take care of the doggies. Here are some pictures from the visit:

This is Fox. Jacqueline is already fostering two other dogs from Tsaotun and was so kind enough to take Fox home that day! :)

Jacqueline and Fox

Jessy and Ruby nuzzling

Colin-I LOVE him! If he's still there when I get a new apartment, he is sooo mine! Although is he finds a home sooner I'll be happy too!

Me (right to left) with Whisper, Colin and Star....I love them all!

This is the cleaning part: Douglas, Caroline, Me and Jacqueline (left to right)

Me, Chris, David, Quincy and Jessy and Jacqueline in the far right
(l-r)

Douglas and Fox looking very regal :)

I don't remember their names, but the dogs were so lovey that day!

Like I said....the dogs were super lovey that day! Maybe we brought in a good vibe...??

The Shelter

Whisper-a darling beagle whose voice box was cut out.

Keeping Our Pets Safe from Toxic Plants

Sometimes we feel our house needs something out of the ordinary to give it a positive lift.

The easiest solution is always flowers. Nothing brightens up the house with a gorgeous aromatic bouquet of Calla Lilies sitting on your dining room table. These flowers are beautiful and may make the room smell lovely, but the truth is they are poison to your pet.

We know many plants out there are poisonous to ingest. But what we fail to forget is that there are plants out there that poison our animals not just by ingestion, but by physical contact.

If your pet has had some contact with a poisonous plant, first call your veterinarian! You should also have your own first-aid kit in case of emergency. This first aid kit should include:

• A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
• A turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
• Saline eye solution
• Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
• Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
• Forceps (to remove stingers)
• A muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
• A can of your pet’s favorite wet food
• A pet carrier

Remember to keep all plants out your pet’s reach. Learn the names of the plant. Check to see if it is toxic and if so, why is it toxic. What will it do to you or your pet?

Here is a list from the ASPCA of the top 17 most toxic plants for pets:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/17-common-poisonous-plants.html

• Lilies (highly toxic to cats)
• Marijuana
• Sago Palm
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Castor Bean
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Yew
• Amaryllis
• Autumn Crocus
• Chrysanthemum
• English Ivy.
• Peace Lily
• Pothos
• Schefflera

Here is a list of the most popular non-toxic plants to keep in your pet-friendly household:
http://houseplants.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_houseplants

· African Violets (Saintpaulia)

· Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

· Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

· Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)

· Zebra Plant (Calathea zebrina)

· Wandering Jew (Zebrina pendula)

· Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

· Peperomia

· Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)

· Bamboo

· Orchid

By choosing pet-friendly plants, you are not only thinking of your dog’s well being, but your own.

For more information:
ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/what-to-do-if-your-pet-is-poisoned.html

University of Connecticut Home and Garden Center: http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/hotissues/SafeandPoisonousHouseplants.html

Toxic Houseplants: How to enjoy your houseplants while keeping your pets safe.
© Susan Walsh
Apr 29, 2007
http://houseplants.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_houseplants

The Pet Friendly House
http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Plants/non_poisonous_plants.aspx

Alternatives to Wool, Fur, Angora and Cashmere

http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t_factsheet_wool.asp

This is a more down-to-earth PETA article with references.

This blog will be about all kinds of alternatives to wool, fur, cashmere, angora and any other product made from hurting or killing animals.

I don't need to tell you ALL the horrible stuff people do to animals for the name of fashion because you know (even though you pretend not to). You hear it from Greenpeace, PETA and other organizations doing what they can to help save animals!

So this blog is about the alternatives you can purchase and wear to make yourself still fashionable, yet cruelty-free.


Here is an excerpt from the link above:

What You Can Do
Use alternatives to wool, including cotton, cotton flannel, polyester fleece, synthetic shearling, and other cruelty-free fibers, as people with wool allergies have been doing for years. Tencel—which is breathable, durable, and biodegradable—is one of the newest cruelty-free wool substitutes. Polartec Wind Pro, which is made primarily from recycled plastic soda bottles, is a high-density fleece with four times the wind resistance of wool, and it also wicks away moisture.(13)

Buy clothing from retailers that have pledged not to sell Australian merino wool products until mulesing and live exports have ended, such as American Eagle Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Timberland, Aéropostale, and Limited Brands.

Here is another PETA link with a list of companies and a brief description of the non-leather non-fur materials they use to make their products:

http://www.peta.org/living/alt2.asp

For those of you with money to spend, here are a couple links to designer and trendy products:

Stella McCartney is a FAMOUS designer, but also a cruelty-free activist:
http://www.stellamccartney.com/

Rag Bag is a company that makes messenger bags, wallets and the like from recycled trash bags picked off the street from people in India. These people receive fair wages.
http://www.ragbag.eu/

Actually, my stepdad bought me a Rag Bag bag and a Rag Bag wallet and I love them!! This is a pic from the website. This is kind of the color I have!





Another alternative is organic cotton. I actually bought two pairs of organic cotton socks from H&M (pink and gray) and even though they look like regular socks, I love putting them on knowing that I did the right thing in buying them!


I've also decided to resist buying leather purses and bought a denim purse. And as for shoes, Converse All-Stars are always a good choice! They are ALWAYS in fashion and now come in MANY colors and designs!


It may be a slow process, but if we can all wear cruelty-free, "Green", and fair trade products, we will feel better about ourselves as well as give those animals who were once destined to suffer a chance to live! :)

Buying Products NOT Tested on Animals

I am slowly starting to buy more and more products NOT tested on animals. I have been a fan of Lush (http://www.lush.com) and the Body Shop for YEARS and always try to find makeup and beauty products safe from animal testing. But, even though I'm in Taiwan and finding products not tested on animals is NOWHERE near possible, I want to start using more more cruelty free products. Especially when I see articles like this one. Now, I know PETA gets a bad rap, but I still think we need to take these things into consideration.

I will also try to post a list of cruelty free products.



From PETA
http://www.iamscruelty.com/introduction.asp

Animals Still Suffer at Iams

Iams: A Recipe for Cruelty

For nearly 10 months in 2002 and early 2003, a PETA investigator worked undercover at Sinclair Research Center, a laboratory hired by Iams, and discovered a dark and sordid secret beneath the wholesome image of the dog- and cat-food manufacturer. Dogs had gone crazy because they were confined to barren steel cages and cement cells, dogs were left piled on a filthy paint-chipped floor after chunks of muscle had been hacked from their thighs, dogs were surgically debarked, and horribly sick dogs and cats were neglected and left in cages to suffer without any veterinary care.

Footage shows that Iams representatives toured the facility and witnessed dogs who were circling in their cells and sweltering in the summer heat. Iams knew the truth yet did nothing to protect the animals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated PETA's complaint and agreed that the laboratory had failed to provide veterinary care and pain relief to suffering animals, failed to provide animals with adequate space, and failed to train employees—along with nearly 40 other violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Sinclair Research Center paid a penalty of $33,000 for its violations.

After intense pressure from PETA and its supporters, Iams agreed to make the following significant changes in its testing program:

• Iams bowed to pressure and severed its ties with Sinclair Research Center.
• Iams ended all invasive and terminal experiments on dogs and cats.
• Iams agreed to begin conducting humane in-home tests for palatability studies.

According to Iams, about 70 percent of the animals now in its tests reside at home with their families. In these studies, people volunteer their companion animals to participate in food and nutrition experiments from the comfort of their own homes. The human guardians can easily be trained to feed the animals and properly collect fecal and urine samples for laboratory analysis to determine the quality of the animal's food. "In-home" studies have been shown to work and have strong scientific support, as shown by the successful PetSci program, which was developed by Dr. Charles Abramson and Dr. Timothy Bowser of Oklahoma State University.

Even so, Iams still keeps up to 700 dogs and cats in its Dayton, Ohio, laboratory for non-invasive nutritional studies. They claim that this laboratory provides a decent environment for the animals, but they refuse to allow a PETA representative to see inside. Iams claims that some studies are too complex for in-home programs, but PETA urges Iams to collaborate with veterinary clinics for studies such as these. Veterinary clinics regularly see patients who suffer from ailments that a particular dog or cat food might help alleviate.

Iams has also refused to end invasive experiments on species other than dogs and cats. For one study, Iams gave Purdue University nearly $200,000 to conduct a two-year study in which experimenters taped the tails of mice to the tops of cages to keep their hind legs suspended in the air. This was done to cause muscular atrophy—the wasting away of muscle tissue. When PETA protested, the experiment was cut short.

Iams has also fought the release of information from a public university that had conducted a study funded by the company in which a painful disease was induced in dogs. What was Iams hiding?

Iams has made progress, but as an industry leader, it must send an even clearer message: No animal deserves the fate of those who remain in their laboratories. Safe, healthy cat and dog food does not require harming cats and dogs.

PETA continues to press Iams to ban conducting and funding invasive or terminal experiments on all species and to adopt 100 percent humane, non-invasive, and cage-free "in-home" testing, as many of Iams' compassionate competitors have done.

Until Iams agrees, we urge consumers to purchase dog and cat food from companies that do not test on animals. In the meantime, read about some other ways you can help the millions of animals every year who are abused and inadequately cared for?all in the name of research.



Since the list is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long here is the link and you can go to it yourself. These are companies who do NOT test on animals:

http://72.14.235.132/search?q=cache:eaZDbWR73SoJ:www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDontTest.pdf+Products+not+tested+on+animals&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a



Here is a list (unsure of accuracy) of companies who DO test on animals:
http://www.thevegetariansite.com/ethics_test.htm

The Wiki on Animal Testing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_testing

Some Dog News to Start Bre's Dog Blog!

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=829502&lang=eng_news%20 Questionable dog food will be recalled: COA
Central News Agency 2009-01-05 01:47 PM	Fonts Size: E-Mail This Printer-Friendly
+ Enlarge This image Central News Agency Taipei, Jan. 5 (CNA) All the dog food from a batch that is believed to have poisoned over 1,000 stray dogs nationwide recently will be recalled and turned into organic fertilizer, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said Monday. The COA confirmed that about 400 stray dogs at two animal shelters in Taipei County had died last month of acute liver damage caused by a high concentration of cancer-causing aflatoxin in dog food supplied by Ji-Tai Forage Co. in the south-central county of Yunlin. As of Sunday, Ji-Tai Forage had recalled 29.3 tons of suspect dog food, officials from the COA's National Institute for Animal Health said. A corporate spokeswoman offered an apology Monday and said that Ji-Tai was also a victim in the matter, as the company had no idea why the imported soybeans used to make the dog food contained aflatoxin. COA officials said that all questionable dog food will be recalled nationwide and sent to a COA-authorized processing company in Yunlin to be processed into compost. According to a United Daily News report Monday, nearly 1,000 stray dogs have died suddenly at several animal shelters in southern Taiwan in recent months, in what is believed to be a case of food poisoning from the Ji-Tai product. (By Deborah Kuo) http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/secretingredients/archives/159550.asp Secret Ingredients food safetypublic healthworkplace safetydepartment of labordepartment of healthSeattle « Coke Sued for Fraudulent Claims on Obesity-Promoting "VitaminWater" | Main | Feds do little to determine scope of spreading peanut butter poisoning. » Poisoned pet food is killing Chinese dogs. Is it really made in the U.S. or is it counterfeit? First, the Chinese poisoned our dogs and cats with contaminated pet food. Now Chinese authorities say a real or counterfeit brand of U.S.-made food – Optima - has killed or sickened dozens of dogs in several Chinese cities. Ryan McLaughlin, a Canadian who lives in Suzhou, China, says he spent Christmas and New Year's Day painfully watching Addie, his year-old golden retriever, die as her liver shut down after being poisoned by contaminants in the Optima dog food he says the pup was fed. Addie from Ryan McLaughlin He writes in his blog of the ordeal of trying to keep Addie alive and of how outraged he was that representatives of the Chinese company that imported the dog food came to the vet where Addie was being treated and said that they would cover all medical costs and, in the event of her death, they would come up with compensation of some sort. "How exactly do they calculate that?" McLaughlin wrote. "Pro-rated from time of birth with a bonus for a good temperament and numbers of hours trained? He said he understands that the company was doing damage control, but "they very likely killed my dog and actually had the audacity (to say) they'll reimburse us based on book value for the breed plus a bit for pain and suffering." Addie and the other dogs were apparently sicken by a lethal aflatoxins contaminating the grain used in the food. The fungi is poisonous by-products that can be found on all grains and peanuts. It causes aflatoxicosis, which attacks the liver of animals and humans, and exposure to high levels can lead to acute liver failure or death within days. Chinese press reports say the Ministry of Agriculture has ordered that sales of Optima be halted as they attempt to track the source of the tainted dog food. While Optima is the name of an American dog food brand, it was unclear if the food sold in China came from the United States. In the U.S., Optima products are sold by Mars Inc., which markets several popular brands of dog food. Optima Dog Food I asked Mars what they knew about the poisonings. Debra Fair, Mars' public relations manager, said they were investigating the "situation." "Mars is aware of recent reports that dogs in the People's Republic of China have died as a result of consuming what appeared to be Optima brand pet food. However, Mars does not sell Optima branded products in China," Fair wrote me in an e-mail. "Our initial findings suggest that the affected pet food was not manufactured by, nor under the authority of, Mars or any of its affiliated companies." She told me that Mars only sells that dog food in Taiwan. But that statement does nothing to clarify the source of the poisoned food because Chinese officials said the Optima that sickened the dogs was imported to China through a Taiwan company, Natural Pet. Fair said Mars will continue its investigation into this matter, "including working closely with FDA and other regulatory authorities who are investigating this situation." I've contacted the Taiwan exporter and the FDA for more information, but haven't heard back yet. Over the past four years, FDA has recalled hundreds of U.S. brands of pet food containing tainted wheat gluten and the chemical melamine. In 2007, that was the case with more than 150 brands of cat and dog food, after some pets became ill or died from kidney failure after eating food from China. Last year, Mars Petcare US announced a recall of dry cat and dog food products manufactured at its Allentown, Penn., facility because of potential contamination with salmonella. Close de.licio.us Digg Facebook Newsvine Reddit StumbleUpon Google Bookmarks Yahoo MyWeb Twitter Posted by Andrew Schneider at January 15, 2009 11:01 a.m. Categories: FDA, Food - good, bad, weird, Food labeling, Food poisoning