A conversation on Facebook early this morning with an old friend (from my days in T.A.G. at Maybeury Elementary School) prompted a run to Krispy Kreme—a nice end to one hell of a morning.
Enucleate
enucleate
verb [trans.]
To surgically remove a tumor, gland, or the eyeball from its surrounding capsule.
My 12 year-old girl, Porter, the last of a line of dogs that’s been in my family for 6 generations, has cancer of the eye, most likely choroidal melanoma. The tumor has gotten very aggressive with its growth and as a result has become increasingly vascular, leaving us with a lot of blood to clean up on an almost nightly basis.
Twelve
Happy birthday, old girl. I’m sorry the others aren’t around to celebrate with you this year...but you’re the last of the line.
Would you like a free copy of French Women for All Seasons?
Several years ago, while working as the Gentle Leader Product Manager at Premier Pet Products, I had the good fortune of visiting San Francisco to tour the then new and state of the art San Francisco SPCA. At the time, there was no other facility like it in the world and to top things off, Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash
After touring the facility, I hit a few stores, looking for dog-related gifts to take home. I ended up in a little shop called The Loft where I found some note cards by an artist named R. Nichols.
His work was simple, playful, and clean. I loved his work so much that I bought every box of cards they had.
Happy To See You
Porter and I sure were happy to see the box of PHD dog food on the front porch when we arrived home tonight.
In light of the recent pet food recalls, it’s nice to know my girl is getting some of the very best.
Pet Food Discussion Heats Up
This issue is finally starting to get the attention it needs.
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Marie Cantwell, (D-WA) demanded in hearings today that the FDA release the names of all companies that received contaminated rice protein from China and identify and inspect all suspect pet food ingredients imported from all countries.
Three of the five companies are known publicly, the other two are known by the FDA but by law, they are not allowed to be released. The companies must come forward voluntarily. Furthermore, the FDA is not authorized to order a food recall, even if it knows of a problem. By law, the manufacturer or distributor must voluntarily recall the tainted products.
Andrew von Eschenbach, FDA commissioner ("You’re doing a heck of a job, Andy") has yet to respond to the demands from the House.
Pets Need a Voice Too - Memorial March
Following the death of her cat, Timber, Jen Hoeflein, of Bastrop, Texas formed a group called Pets Need a Voice Too.
The group is organizing a nationwide memorial march on April 28, 2007 to memorialize pets who died in the wake of the Menu Foods tragedy and call attention to what she sees as an outrageous situation in the pet food industry.
For more information, visit VirginiaDogs.com and the Pets Need A Voice Too web site.
If you’re not able to organize or attend any local events, I would at least encourage you to read up on the issue and blog about it on the 28th (13 days from today).
Getting a Beer
In this age of technological wonders, it has never been easier to get a beer. Courtesy of my friend Shawn, witness the Beer Launching Fridge:
The Hole - video powered by Metacafe
And while I think that’s a neat idea...I still think having a dog that fetches beer is much cooler:
Good dog.
Henrico Humane Pet Expo
We had a ball at this year’s Pet Expo at The Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike.
If you missed out, make a point to come to next year’s event.
It’s always a treat.
Washing off the stink
On the recommendations of Dave and Jess, we took Porter to pups ‘n sudz today to wash off the stink she acquired on Saturday.
Sue Sternberg - CD available
buy it…
I got an email tonight from an old colleague - Sue Sternberg. I don’t think I’ve seen her since the HSUS show in Minneapolis. That’s got to be almost 7 years ago now.
So good to see that she’s continued her incredibly challenging (and rewarding) work at Rondout Valley Animals for Adoptions. I had an opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people when I worked at Premier Pet Products ... and Sue was most certainly at the top of that list.
More widely known for her Assess-A-Hand, used to aid in the assessment of a dog’s temperament, and her innovative Training Wheels program, Sue is also an accomplished fiddle player.
First the trash, now M&Ms
The fun doesn’t stop tonight.
