FDA Warning

Do you want the good news first or the bad news first? I think we’ll start with the bad news.

The FDA has issued warning for people who are treating diabetic dogs with Vetsulin. They found out that Vetsulin has varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin and is unstable. That means your dog could be getting too much or too little insulin with each dose. The FDA recommends that you use another insulin product until Vetsulin is proven to be stable. You can get more info on this at www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/newsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm188752.htm.

Now for the good news. I found a cute poem for all you pittie lovers. You can read it at http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/article/dog-writing-poetry/top-10-reasons-you-cant-trust-a-vicious-pitbull.

Care2 is having a helter contest were you can vote for your favorite shelter. The prize is $10,000 for the shelter and the contest ends December 16th. You can vote at www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFrtz/zJZA/AqkQb.

There are a lot of events going on this weekend. The biggest one is Woofstock. Woofstock is a free pet friendly adoption event for Virginia Beach Animal Control. They’re gong to have low cost rabies vaccinations, contests, demonstrations by the Virginia Beach K-9 and Mounted Police teams, a pet fashion show, pet vendors, rescue booths, and dog and cat licenses. Woofstock is happening on Saturday, November 7, from 10 to 4 at Redwing Park.

Somebuddies Inc. cat rescue will be at Petco in Williamsburg on Mooretown Road. They’ll be there tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 and tomorrow from 1 to 4.

The Cat Corner is having a Holiday Bazaar and Yard Sale tomorrow from 10 to 3. They’re going to have holiday decorations, baked goods, and all kinds of bargains. It’s a good way to help raise money for all the cats. The Cat Corner is at 85 Fulton Street in the Phoebus section of Hampton.

Heritage Humane Society is having their Fall Festival tomorrow at Godspeed Animal Care Clinic in Williamsburg from 1 to 5. They’ll have face painting, door prizes, a cake walk, and lots of adorable animals looking for a new home. Godspeed Animal Care is located at 102 Tewning Road.

The Great Dane Rescue of the Commonwealth is having their Fur-Ever Home for the Holidays adoption event tomorrow. They’ll be at Petco in the Janaf Shopping Center in Norfolk from 1 to 4.

Portsmouth Humane Society is having a cat adoption tomorrow at the Hilltop PetsMart. Both PHS and Virginia Beach Animal Control will have adoptable cats there from 10 to 4. The cats are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ready for a new home.

Portsmouth Humane Society will also have adoptable pets at the Chesapeake Square PetsMart. They’ll be there from 12 to 4.

Now for the surprise I hinted about yesterday. We’re going to have another pet chat with Dr. Holland next week. Next Wednesday, November 11th, we’ll be chatting with Dr. Holland from 12:15 to 1:15. Get your questions ready and join us. It should be a lot of fun.

Well, that’s it for this week. I’ll be back Monday with some new info for you.

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H1N1 And Pets

I was going to tell you about a few things that aggravated me this past weekend. But, I have something much more important to tell you about.

All the vet reports I have read in the past said that pets probably couldn’t get the H1N1 flu virus. That has changed. A cat in Iowa was recently diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. The cat has recovered. The virus was spread from a sick family member to the cat. The vet said that it didn’t appear that the cat passed the virus on to other animals or people.

So far the virus has been found in humans, pigs, birds, and ferrets all over the world. It has also been reported in turkeys in Chile and Canada. The virus has been spread from humans to the animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association is keeping track of all the cases reported in animals. They suggest that you keep an eye on your pets and take them to the vet at the first sign of illness. The AVMA is also posting updates on their website at www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus.

To help keep your pet healthy, vets recommend that you wash your hands before and after petting or playing with your pet. They also recommend that you keep your pet away from sick family members and other sick pets. It helps to always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If you are sick, go to the doctor. If your pet seems to be sick, take it to the vet right away.

Now if that’s not enough to worry about, there has been another recall of Wysong dog food because it is contaminated with mold. Wysong Maintenance with lot numbers 090706 and 090817 is recalled. Wysong Senior with the lot number 090811 and Wysong Synorgon with lot number 090629 are also recalled. If you have these, return them to the store right away.

It’s hard enough for us to get the vaccine for the H1N1 flu. Now you need to watch for it in your pets. I don’t know if they are working on a vaccine for pets yet. There are vaccines for the Canine flu though. Using good hygiene practices will help keep you and your pet from getting the H1N1 flu.

Tomorrow, I’ll have all the weekend events for you and a surprise too.

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Adopt A Senior Dog Month

November is known for its holidays. Thanksgiving is the most obvious holiday but, there are several dog and pet related holidays too. November is Adopt a Senior Dog Month. And, the first week in November is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

So, for all the rescue and shelter volunteers, I and my crew want to say “Thank You.” You do so much to help the homeless pets find new homes and comfort those who have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. There are ways you can show support for the local shelters and rescues too. You can donate something from their wish list. Almost all shelters and rescues have a wish list on their website. Or, you can send them a gift card to a pet supply store, office supply store, or feed store. You can also donate gently used pet items. Sponsor a spay or neuter surgery for a dog or cat. Volunteer your time at the shelter or rescue. Adopt or foster a pet that needs a home until the right one comes along. Donate a Kuranda dog bed so the dogs won’t have to sleep on a cold concrete floor. You can find more info about the donation program at www.kuranda.com/shop/donate.asp. And, always keep a collar and I.D. tag on your pet. Even if you microchip your pet, whoever finds it may not be able to scan the chip. Having a collar and tag will help them know how to contact you.

If you want to adopt or foster a pet, consider getting a senior dog or cat. So many people want a puppy or kitten but senior pets will give you love and companionship without the hassles of having a younger animal. Usually they are spayed or neutered, they have been potty trained, are finished with the chewing and teething stage, are a little less energetic, and most of them know basic commands. Sometimes a senor pet will have medical problems, but most are fine and healthy. Munchkin is almost 15 and most days she can keep up with Macabee. She keeps him in line too. Senior pets can fit into your life with little trouble and won’t drive you crazy like a youngster would.

I found a couple more things you might be interested in. If you’re going out of town for a few days and want to hire a petsitter, there is a Pet Care Instruction page you can print out. You fill out all the info about food, medicines, walks, playtime, favorite toys, hiding places, contact info, and what to do in an emergency. Then you put it on the fridge for the petsitter. You can get this at www.somebuddiesinc.com.

The Cat Corner is having a Holiday Bazaar Fundraiser this Saturday. You can drop off items tomorrow from 10 to 3 and Friday from 9 to 12. If you donate an item to The Cat Corner, you can shop early on Friday from 1 to 3. They’re looking for slightly used items, holiday decorations, baked goods, and other items to sell to raise funds to care for the cats. The Cat Corner is at 85 Fulton Street in the Phoebus area of Hampton.

Do you knit, crochet, or weave? Ever consider using your dog’s fur as yarn? It sounds a bit strange to me but a lot of people do it. I found a person who pins yarn from your dog’s fur. You send in a bag full of shed hair and she’ll send you a skein of yarn. Or, you can order an item that she will make from the dog yarn. You can check it out at www.designerdogyarn.com.

That’s it for today. Tomorrow I’ll tell you about a couple things that aggravated me over the weekend. Nothing serious but it’s about being a good pet neighbor.

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Happy Howloween!

I know Halloween is tomorrow and it’s a lot of fun for kids. But, you can make it a howling fun time for your dogs too.

Maybe you’re going to dress up your doggie kids and go trick or treating. Remember to make you and your dog visible to cars. Use reflective leashes and collars. If you don’t have any, put some reflective tape on the leashes and collars you do have. You can use a flashing tag on the collar too. You can also tie a glow stick or two to the collar and leash. Wear one yourself too so you can be seen. You don’t want to be the Invisible Dog Walker.

You could also have a Halloween party for your dog and all your doggie friends. You could host a party to raise money for a local shelter or rescue. Or, you could collect food or supplies that rescues and shelters need. Use invitations and party ware with bones, paws, or pumpkins on them. Have prizes for the best pet/human duo, weirdest, spookiest, or most original costume. Have pet friendly decorations – no open flames. It would be great to have the party outside in a fenced in yard. If it’s inside, keep the guest list small. Make sure you have plenty of full water bowls and pet treats. Don’t forget food for the humans. You can have activities like a Haunted Agility Maze, bobbing for hot dogs or tennis balls, a scavenger hunt, or a timed retrieving race. Don’t forget to take pictures of everyone. And, have prizes and goody bags for everyone too.

I was looking up some remedies for ear mites in cats last night and came across something really cute. It’s a list of reasons cats should adopt a human. Check it out at www.dr-dan.com/earmites.htm. It’s the second post on the page.

There’s only one event this weekend. Bennetts Creek Home Away From Home Pet Boarding is having a Holiday Open House on Sunday from 12 to 3. There’s going to be refreshments, facility tours, and drawings for prizes. They will also be taking pet pictures with Santa. Proceeds from the pictures benefit the Suffolk Humane Society. For more info, go to www.bchomeawayfromhome.com.

Virginia Commonwealth Bank is still having their Annual Pet Drive until November 16th. They’re collecting dog and cat food, kitty litter, and other items for pets. All the donations will be given to Suffolk Humane Society. For more information, call Debi Brooks at 925-1466. You can drop off your donations at 1703 North Main Street in Suffolk.

That’s it for this week. Have fun and be safe tomorrow. By the way, we’re planning another pet chat soon. I’ll have more info for you next week.

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Halloween Safety Tips

Well, Halloween is 2 days away. I know you can’t wait to dress up your furry kid for all the Trick or Treating. Watch out for chocolate and things with the artificial sweetener Xyltol. They can turn Halloween into a nightmare for you and your dog. I have more safety tips for you so you can have fun and not frights on Halloween night.

Don’t keep your dog outside on Halloween night. Bring him inside with you. There are too many mean spirited people out there who want to harm any innocent unprotected being they can find. Keep your cats indoors too. Besides there being mean spirited people out there, there will be plenty of costumed strangers, both small and big. And your dog may think he has to protect you from all those strangers.

If your dog is overly friendly or afraid of strangers, keep him in a room away from the front door. He could bolt out the door or become aggressive with so many strangers and loud noises. He’ll be safer in a separate room.

Do what you normally do. If you give your dog too much attention when he seems worried, it makes him think that he has something to worry about. Just like in a thunderstorm, praise him when he’s calm.

Let your dog get use to seeing you and your family in costumes. Let him smell it and check it out. Keep the masks off though. Masks can confuse your dog because they can’t see your face behind a mask. If you’re going to dress your dog in a costume, get him use to it first. Some dogs like the extra attention they get when they’re in a costume. Other dogs don’t like wearing a costume at all. Make sure your dog’s costume is not constrictive in any way. It should not cover the eyes or ears or be too long either.

Make sure your dog has an I.D. tag on his collar with your name, address, and phone number. If you’re taking him out trick or treating with you, use a short leash and some reflective tape on the leash and collar. Or, use a flashing tag on the collar so drivers can see you and your dog.

Keep your dog away from candy. You know about the dangers of chocolate and xylitol. But a dog who wants candy will gobble it down wrappers and all. That can cause problems that only a vet can solve.

Keep your dog away from candles and lit pumpkins. The swish of a tail can start a fire or burn your pet. Don’t go up to doors and stay clear of groups of children. Your dog can get scared and bite if someone jumps out at him. And don’t let kids in costume approach your dog without your consent. He may be frightened by the costume and mask.

Have fun and be safe. Your dog is like a small furry kid who gets excited and doesn’t really understand Halloween. You have to keep an eye on him and keep him safe.

It would be really nice if you have some treats for the pets when they come with their kids. Why should the kids get all the treats anyway? Have some dog biscuits handy or make a batch of homemade treats to give the dogs. I think I’m going to make pumpkin wafers. The recipe is real easy. Mix a 15 ounce can of plain mashed pumpkin with ¾ of a cup of cream of wheat or rice cereal, and ½ a cup of dry powdered milk. Drop by small spoonfuls on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. I told you it was easy.

Some of these tips came from Bark Busters USA. You can checkout their website at www.barkbusters.com. Have fun and be safe! I’ll have weekend events and party tips tomorrow.

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More Action Needed

I have a hodge-podge mix of things for you today. There are a few things to write your representatives about and there’s a new place to adopt a cat.

There are several bills before Congress and the House that affect pet parents. The ASPCA has a link to these bills and an email you can send so your representatives know how you feel about the bills. Rob Wittman and Senators Warner and Webb hear from me quite a lot concerning bills that have to do with pets and wildlife. The links to the bills and emails are at www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/lobby-for-animals/.

There is also a suggestion made by the Department of Defense to Congress about animal abuse by service members. The Commission on Military Justice wants to be able to criminally charge service members who kill, abuse, or abandon their pets. Right now, the Uniform Code of Military Justice only allows punishment for animal abuse under Article 134 or the General Article. There are no laws concerning pets. And there is nothing in the UCMJ that says animal abuse is behavior unbecoming of a serviceman. As it stands, any service person who abuses their pet has to be brought up on charges by a superior officer if the officer thinks it’s worth his time to do it. Needless to say, it doesn’t happen very often. The abuser gets away with it or has very little punishment.

My ex-husband was in the military and I can tell you first hand that there is a lot of domestic abuse and animal abuse done by people in the military. Most military personnel are wonderful representatives of the country and do an amazing job defending and protecting us. I really respect them. It’s the few bad ones that get away with animal and domestic abuse. By adding specific language to the UCMJ to address animal cruelty, these people won’t be ale to get away with it anymore. We need to write our representatives and senators and tell them to add this specific language to the UCMJ to make animal cruelty a crime. To send an email to your representative, go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml. To send an email to your senator, go to www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L.

Now for some good news. Somebuddies Inc. is now able to do cat adoptions at the Petco in Williamsburg on Mooretown Road. They’ll be there tonight from 5 to 7:30. They will probably be there next Saturday too. They aren’t doing any adoptions until after Halloween but you can check out the cats and kittens available.

I found a home remedy you might be interested in. Mac developed Conjunctivitis in both eyes over the weekend. He was miserable and I couldn’t get him to a vet. So I went to Earth Clinic and found out that apple cider vinegar would cure it. You soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and rub it on the back of the dog’s or cat’s neck. Then you dilute about a teaspoon of vinegar with 2 teaspoons of water and rub over the eyes and on the nose where the eyes drain with a cotton ball soaked in the diluted mix. I’ve been doing that 3 or 4 times a day and Mac’s eyes are just about all cleared up. The comments on the site say you can do this treatment instead of going to the vet. I don’t recommend that. I think you can do this treatment until you can get to a vet. Conjunctivitis is caused by several different things and you want to make sure it’s all gone. It can come back and you may need antibiotics to really get rid of it. This treatment is good to use until you can get to a vet and make sure the eyes are okay. To see what else apple cider vinegar is good for, go to www.earthclinic.com/Pets/conjunctivitis.html.

That’s it for today. Tomorrow I’ll have some Halloween safety tips for you and your pets.

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Tips And Treats

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of October already. Where did this year go? I do know one thing. The older I get, the faster time flies. Oh well, we can have fun while we’re here. And, we have a lot to do this weekend.

First, I have a couple tips for you. Since it’s fall, a lot of people are mulching their gardens and flower beds. Be sure you don’t use cocoa mulch. It’s the same plant that we get chocolate from. And, it has the same ingredients as chocolate. Fifty percent of the dogs that ate it died and it causes convulsions before death. A better mulch is cedar because it isn’t toxic. It may cause a tummy ache if it’s eaten but nobody dies from it.

I gave you a recipe for salmon treats a couple weeks ago. Someone I know said her cat can’t have fish because it makes her sick. If your pet can’t have fish, or doesn’t like fish, just use a pound of ground beef, ground turkey, or pureed liver instead. You may have to add a little broth to make it easier to spread but it works just as well as the salmon.

Now for the fun events. There’s a lot of them this week.

Ballentine Bark Park Barktoberfest is tomorrow, the 24th. It’s going to be at Balletine Bark Park from 1 to 4. The park is at 2717 Tait Terrace in Norfolk. There’s going to be doggie massages, Story time with PT Custard and Superhero Dill, costume contests, and talent contests. It costs $5 per dog and $3 for senior dogs 8 years and older. Check out the website at www.ballentinecivicleague.com.

Great Dane Rescue of the Commonwealth is having a yard sale tomorrow from 8 to 12. It’s being held at 3440 Newcastle Road in the Kings Grant area of Virginia Beach.

Heritage Humane Society is also having a yard sale. They’re holding it today from 12 to 4, and tomorrow from 8 to 12. It’s at 430 Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg.

Suffolk Humane Society will have a booth set up in front of their office in Driver for the Driver Days Fall Festival. They’re having an adoptathon on Saturday and fostered animals in the office on Sunday. There’s going to be lots of family activities, food, music, demonstrations, and a motorcycle ride. Admission is free. Festival hours are 9 to 6 Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. Proceeds go to Suffolk Humane Society, Driver Volunteer Fire Department, and other local charities. Check out the website at www.driverevents.com.

Somebuddies will be at the Varina Episcopal Church Fall Festival tomorrow at 11. The festival starts at 10 and goes until 3. It’s at the corner of New Market and Mill Roads in Varina east of Richmond.

United States Equine Rescue League is having a horse show tomorrow starting at 9 in the morning. It’s at Flintrock Farm in Reidsville, NC. Proceeds benefit the horses in the rescue. You can get more info at www.userltriad.org.

Virginia Beach SPCA is having their 31st annual Walk for the Animals on Sunday. They’re going to have games, a pet costume contest, a kids costume contest, a pet trick contest, a Blessing of the Animals, and a pledge walk. Everything begins at 11:30 at the 31st Street Park on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Whew! That’s a lot to do! Get out there and have some fun while you support our local rescues. I’ll have more for you next week.

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Different Doggie Diets

Yesterday I told you how to find a quality dog food at an affordable price. Today were talking about different diets for your dogs.

Since the pet food recall, and all the ongoing pet food recalls, some people don’t trust the safety of commercially prepared kibble for their dogs. I don’t blame them. There are so few safeguards and protocols to guarantee the safety of pet food. So some people have started either cooking their own dog and cat food or feeding a raw diet.

I have never tried a raw diet for Mac and Munch. I’m sure they would like it but I’m not sure of the cost and all that. Of course, I haven’t done that much research on it either. One of the prepared raw diets you can get is the BARF Diet. It’s raw food prepared in patties and frozen. You can get info from the company at www.barfworld.com. There are other companies that sell prepared raw diets and you can find them in a Google search. You can also use a “do it yourself” raw diet. There are recipes on the internet just for this and you can find them in a Google search too.

Another thing you can do if you’re not sure about a raw diet, is to cook your own dog and cat food. It’s kind of tricky because dogs and cats need specific nutrients in specific amounts. But, it’s very easy to make a doggie stew. At my house, people who come over need to ask if the food cooking on the stove is for people or dogs. There are lots of recipes on the internet. And I do mean lots, like in hundreds of them. You can get overwhelmed. If you want some recipes just search for “homemade dog food recipes” or something like that. Dogs basically need three things in a food. They need meat, veggies and fruit, and some kind of starch. If you want to make sure you have the proper balance, check out www.balanceit.com and www.petdiets.com.

Another thing you can do is give your dog raw meaty bones from the meat section in your grocery store. I haven’t done this yet but I plan to this winter. It’s supposed to be good for the dog’s teeth and gums. You can give them chicken necks, chicken backs, lamb breasts, beef neck or tail bones, and pork ribs and backs. Don’t cook them because that makes the bones splinter. Just feed them raw. And make sure you’re home with them when they’re eating bones. That way you can help if there are any problems or call a vet. The only problem at my house would probably be the fight over the bones.

So, these ideas can give you something to think about. Here’s something else to think about: there are two more recall notices. I told you about the Nutro recall last week. You can get info on that recall at www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/449/1/Nutro-Pet-Food-Voluntary-Withdrawal/Page1.html. Now, Wysong has a recall on their Maintenance and Senior foods due to mold contamination. The lot numbers for the Maintenance formula are 090617, 090624, 090706, and 090720. The lot number for the Senior food is 090623. You can get info on the Wysong website at http://wysong.net/recall.php.

Well, that’s it for today. Get ready for some great dog events this weekend.

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Good Dog Food

I told you last week that I would write about how to get good dog food. Good dog food isn’t just the most expensive food you can buy. A lot of the gourmet type pet food companies would like you to believe that, but you can get affordable food that is good too. And, you can always add in some things to improve the food you feed your pets.

Can you tell what the quality of the food is by the pictures, descriptions, or celebrity names on the bag? No. The pictures and descriptions are there to make you feel better about feeding this food to your dog. I have come across one celebrity named dog food that is good but, I’ve also seen some that I thought would be good but weren’t. The name doesn’t mean the food is good.

The best way to tell if a food is good is to read the ingredients. Some dog food companies try to fool you here too by making it confusing. Instead of listing things by their natural name, they list the chemical name so you can’t really tell what’s in there. The better foods list ingredients by their natural name. I think maybe they have less to hide.

The ingredients are listed in descending order so the biggest ingredient is listed first and the least amount is listed last. If the first ingredient listed is corn, corn meal, or corn glutton and then they list any meat as the sixth or seventh ingredient, that’s not a good food. Meat protein should be the first ingredient. Look for beef, fish, chicken, or lamb as the first one listed. If it says beef meal or other type of meal, the protein source is cheaper and not as good. And it should list the specific type, not just poultry or fish. It should list it as chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, herring, or something like that.

If the first four ingredients in the list are grains, or partial grains like gluten, middlings, or any ground grains, that means the food is mostly fillers. Fillers are just what they sound like. They fill your dog up but don’t have much nutritional protein. They’re basically the cheapest protein that you can get. By-products are another cheap source of protein. You don’t need them in your dog’s food.

You also don’t need artificial colors and flavors. Those are added so it looks good to people, not dogs. Flavors and flavor enhancers aren’t needed either. Also watch out for synthetic preservatives. Look for foods preserved with Vitamins C and E. Do make sure the food has essential fatty acids and antioxidants added. These are needed for allergies, arthritis, and cancer prevention. Also look for vegetables and fruit in the ingredients. Remember, corn is a grain, not a vegetable, when it’s an ingredient in dog food.

There are two other things to look for. Make sure the food ha an AAFCO guarantee that lists feeding tests or protocols and not nutrient profiles. Make sure the food has 21 percent protein or, at least 18 percent for older or diabetic dogs or dogs with kidney problems. Also, check the expiration date. Yes, dog food has an expiration date too. If it’s within the date but smells rancid or bad when you open it, return it immediately. Don’t feed it to your dog. The bag should also look clean when you buy it. There shouldn’t be any bugs or webs on it. It’s probably very old and no good.

There are quite a few affordable foods that meet these recommendations. And, I’ve found that some of the most expensive fancy named foods don’t meet these recommendations at all. Price isn’t the guarantee of quality.

So, what can you add to the food that your dog eats? Most things that you eat are good for your dog too. Make sure if it’s part of your meal that it doesn’t have onions in it. Onions are toxic to dogs. Grapes, raisins, and most nuts are toxic too. Dribble a little olive or salmon oil over his kibble. Or, sprinkle on some flaxseeds. You can add a raw egg with the shell. If you’re worried about bacteria, scramble the egg first. Pour on a bit of chicken broth. It has a variety of nutrients and vitamins. Add a spoonful of pumpkin or yogurt to his kibble a couple times a week. Get the plain canned pumpkin and plain yogurt. Dogs don’t need the added sugar in regular yogurt and, some of the spices in pumpkin pie filling or spiced pumpkin are toxic to dogs.

By reading the ingredients and adding a few simple things, you can feed your dog well without blowing your budget. It takes a bit more time to read ingredients and add things but, you need to remember the dog food companies are out to get your money any way they can. So, be informed and keep your wallet in your pocket.

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Pet Video Games

There’s some big news and a good selection of weekend events for you.

First, the video games. Game maker Ubisoft is coming out with a new group of Petz games for 6 to 12 year old kids. What does this have to do with dogs? Well, they’re teaming up with the ASPCA to sponsor Adopt a Shelter Dog month. You can visit www.ubiworld.com to play mini games for free and support the ASPCA. And, if you buy the new Petz games from Wal-mart, you get free trading cards with pet fun facts from the ASPCA. The games are supposed to help teach kids how to take care of animals and be kind to them

I never though I’d see this bit of news happen. The AKC is now accepting mixed breed dogs in the new AKC Canine Partners program. It allows mixed breeds to compete in obedience, rally, and agility events. For more info, go to www.akccaninepartners.org.

Like wine? There are 2 wine tastings this weekend to support the Virginia Beach SPCA. Volunteers will be at Farm Fresh tomorrow from 1 to 4. Part of the proceeds go to help groups who train service dogs. Visit the Farm Fresh on the corner of Volvo and Kempsville or the one on South Independence.

The Norfolk SPCA is having an adoption event tonight from 6 to 8. They’ll be at the Dairy Queen on Colley Avenue with some sweet pets who need a new home. Go get a burger and fries and come home with your new best friend.

Long Dog Dachshund Rescue is having an adoption event tomorrow from 10 to 3. They’ll be at the Petco in Newport News with some little wienie dogs ready to go to new homes.

Portsmouth Humane Society is having an adoption event tomorrow from 12 to 4. They’ll be at the PetsMart at Greenbrier Shopping Center.

Midway Veterinary Hospital is having their 2nd Annual Open House tomorrow from noon to 4. They’re going to have hospital tours, a raffle for some goodies, a pet Halloween costume contest, fall photos of your pet, a cookout, face painting, and a Blessing of the Pets. All of this is to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Midway Veterinary Hospital is at 1646 South Military Highway in Chesapeake. Their website is www.midwayvethospital.com.

Bennetts Creek Home Away From Home Pet Boarding is going to have an open house on November 1st. That’s a few weeks away but they need you to RSVP by October 21st. For more info, visit their website at www.bchomeawayfromhome.com. You can also call them at 484-0202.

This is Vet Tech Appreciation Week. Make sure you let the vet techs at your vet hospital know how much you appreciate them. As veterinary nurses, they do so much for the animals who need comfort in a stressful situation. So, here’s to all the vet techs at the Animal Medical Care Center in Tabb. Thanks for taking good care of Macabee, Munchkin, Sachiko, Wink, Tinker, and Rascal.

Today is also National Feral Cat Day. So, in memory of Abby, who was a very sweet feral cat, check out www.alleycat.org to see how you can help feral cats in your neighborhood.

That’s it for this week. Next week we’ll talk about how to get good dog food.

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