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8-Foot Shark Found in Potomac River

Written by Alexis on September 2nd, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Dean shows off the shark's dental work

A Maryland fisherman has a whopper of a fish tale . . . except this one really was this long and it didn’t get away.

Willy Dean set his nets on Monday at Cornfield Harbor, three miles north of Point Lookout, at the mouth of the Potomac River in Maryland.  He was fishing for cow-nosed rays for a Solomons Island Marina biologist.  The next morning, his net was full but not with rays.

Dean discovered that he’d managed to snare an 8-foot long shark, which he believes to be a bull shark.  Bull sharks are known for their aggressive natures.  ”We had an interesting morning bringing it in,” Dean said. “It was quite a fight.”

This would not be the first time a bull shark has been found in the Potomac.

Over Labor Day weekend in 2001, a 9 1/2- foot bull shark attacked and killed a 10-year-old boy in the shallows off Sandbridge.  The shark then went for the boy’s father as they were trying to bring the boy to shore, only stopping the pursuit when it ran aground on the shore.

Sharks are not uncommon sights in the Potomac – blacktip shark or sandbar shark are often spotted in Virgina in the summer – however bull sharks are seen about every 20 years or so.  Bull sharks’ favorite places to swim are in shallow waters, the same waters frequented by beach-goers.  And while humans are not their desired cuisine, that doesn’t stop them from going after us if we happen to be available prey targets.

Hopefully, Dean’s shark was a solo adventurer in coming up the Potomac just in time for this year’s Labor Day weekend.  It’s possible that he might have just heard that there were so many others like him upstream that he felt compelled to come visit DC.

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Posted in Exotics | Tagged , , ,

CPR Saves Puppy’s Life

Written by Alexis on September 2nd, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Penelope the Peek-a-Poo (Pekingese x Poodle) is a very lucky puppy. A wrestling match with her brother had almost fatal consequences for her until Roger Fletcher, her owner, came to her rescue.

Penelope and Chuck, both 9 months-old, were playing on the patio of Fletcher and Diane Rice’s home one morning.  As Rice and Fletcher watched the two furballs tussle, Penelope let out a sharp yelp.

They thought that Chuck had hurt Penelope until they realized that Chuck’s mouth had become stuck in Penelope’s collar. The couple tried unsuccessfully to pull them apart. “The collar was so tight,” Diane said. “I couldn’t get a finger in there.” Rice got a pair of scissors, but before they could get Penelope’s collar off, she lost consciousness.

“She was gone,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher leapt into action.  He rolled Penelope over and began CPR by covering her nose and mouth with his mouth and blowing air into her lungs.

The couple took turns administering CPR.  After about 45 seconds they saw movement.  “Her left paw moved and then her left eye opened. Then she opened both eyes,” Fletcher said.

The two puppies acted like nothing significant had happened.  Rice said, “Penelope went right after Chuck to play again. They’re still little monsters.”  Of course, the couple has learned a valuable lesson – they no longer have the puppies wear collars unless they are going outside for a walk.

Here are the instructions on how to perform CPR on a dog (let’s hope you never need to do this):
PERFORMING PET CPR

Step 1: Check for responsiveness. Before you begin doing anything to your pet, make sure he is truly unresponsive.

• Check his breathing by placing your hand in front of his nose and mouth. (Be sure not to cover them and block his airway.)

• Check for his heartbeat by placing your ear against area where your pet’s left elbow touches the chest.

Step 2: Secure an airway. If you don’t see or feel your pet breathing, you immediately need to make sure his airway is clear.

• Carefully pull his tongue forward out of his mouth. (Even an unresponsive animal can bite by instinct.)

• Look into the throat for a foreign object. If you find one, remove it carefully.

• Move the head until the neck is straight. (Don’t move the neck if you suspect it is injured.)

Step 3: Rescue breathing

• Close your pet’s mouth and breathe directly into his nose, not his mouth, until his chest expands.

• If the chest doesn’t expand, check again for a foreign object in the throat and reposition the airway so it is straight.

• Once you’ve gotten the chest to expand, continue the rescue breathing, repeating the breaths 12 to 15 times per minute (once every four to five seconds).

Step 4: Chest compressions. Do not begin chest compressions until you’ve secured an airway and started rescue breathing.

• Gently lay your pet on his right side.

• The heart is located in the lower half of the chest on the left side, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below the heart to support the chest; place the other hand over the heart.

• Press down gently on your pet’s heart. Press down about one inch for medium-sized dogs; press harder for larger animals and with less force for smaller animals. To massage the hearts of cats and other tiny pets, compress the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand.

• Press down 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 times per minute for smaller ones.

• Alternate the chest compressions with the rescue breaths.
Continue the heart massage compressions and the rescue breathing until you can hear a heartbeat and feel regular breathing. Once your pet is breathing and his heart is beating, call your veterinarian immediately.

— Source: healthypet.com

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Apple Pie is this month’s Flavor of the Month.  Crisp, fresh apples and a little touch of spice make our Apple Pie Just-a-Bite Biscotti a yummy treat that your dog will love.  Get a bag today!

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Posted in Dogs | Tagged , ,

What’s New for September

Written by Alexis on September 1st, 2010 — Leave a Comment

September!  It sure doesn’t feel like Autumn yet . . . but we know that in just a couple of weeks we will be trading our shorts for jeans and the air conditioning will be turned off.  I think we’re all looking forward to waking up to cool mornings that have that gentle tang in the air that is particular to early fall.  It has been a wonderful summer but it’s time to change!

Apple Pie Just-a-Bite Biscotti

We are welcoming in Autumn with our new Flavor of the Month Apple Pie Just-a-Bite Biscotti.  Our Apple Pie treats are as wholesome as what your grandmother made for her family.  We use only real, natural ingredients – fresh, crisp apples are blended with a touch of spice to bring to life the subtle, yummy flavor of apple pie made from scratch.  It is the perfect flavor to give your best friend after a hike in the woods or raking up leaves.  Make sure to get your order in today for a bag (or two!).

What a Relief Gel

With the promise of cooler weather, I notice a lot more people getting out and being active.  There are a bunch of folks who are training for fall half and full marathons.  If you are one of those “cooler weather’s here, go out and play” people, you might notice that your muscles and joints are talking back to you the next day after you’ve gone that extra mile.  Heck, you might notice you’re just stiffer because the weather is getting cooler.  Our Savings Spotlight item is the perfect thing to help make you feel better – What a Relief Gel!  The What a Relief gel is blended with emu oil, MSM and aloe.  It is a great anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.  And unlike so many topical pain relievers, What a Relief doesn’t make you smell like a eucalyptus tree.  Keep in motion with What a Relief gel . . . this month save $2.50 on every bottle!

It’s back to school time for kids and parents alike.  If your child is having trouble with his or her reading skills this year, we have some great news for you in this month’s Sit, Stay, READ! article.  ”Dogs’ Pawsitive Effect on Children’s Literacy” covers the simple, yet extremely effective R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dog) program where kids read to dogs, as well as other tips on how to help your child overcome his reading hurdles.  In this month’s Health Matter’s article is entitled “Pet Ulcers – Causes and Treatments”. Naturally, it discusses how susceptible our pets are to stomach ulcers.  I know you think that your pet has the easiest, no-stress existence but think again.  Our domestic pets, and this includes horses, can be very vulnerable to ulcers as their lives, like ours, become less “natural” all the time; although, fortunately ulcers are relatively straightforward to diagnose and treat.  It’s good information that’s definitely worth checking out.

TB Friends is our Rescue of the Month

Our Rescue of the Month is a very special one . . . and I know I say that about every rescue every month, but I say it because it’s true! This month is no exception – TB Friends.  TB stands for Thoroughbreds.  TB Friends is located in Northern California.  They take in abandoned and neglected horses, horses that families can no longer afford to keep, and horses off the track.  People in rescue know how the crappy economy has affected the owner turn-in rate for dogs and cats – imagine how it has affected horse owners and the rescues that have watched their numbers balloon in the last couple of years!  Joe and Cathy Shelton run TB Friends with the help of a couple of dedicated and very useful friends, and they run on a shoestring (as so many rescues do!).  Every year they take in about 200 horses.  They do their best to place those horses into new homes.  They currently have about 130 horses on their ranch that they care for – that they saved from a rendering plant.  If you are thinking of getting a horse, please consider a rescue!  There are so many wonderful horses out there that need a good home.  I also want to urge you to check out Joe’s daily post he puts up on the home page of TB Friends.  He writes so well, so eloquently.  His posts are generally tearjerkers, some happy and some just flat-out heartbreaking – but all are good reads.  Go there. Bookmark it. You’ll be so glad you did.  Tigertail Foods is pleased to be able to say that TB Friends will be getting a portion of every unaffiliated purchase this month.

Let’s make this month a good one!

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Baby Panda Plays a Lousy Game of Soccer

Written by Alexis on September 1st, 2010 — Leave a Comment

I have to admit that when I woke up this morning my entire attitude was absolutely sub-par. I don’t know if it was the realization that it is only Wednesday or because it is Wednesday and I am going to the dentist for my teeth cleaning (who’s up for a biannual gum scrapping?!? Anyone? Anyone?). Whatever the reason I know the cure for mediocre mood mornings is a baby panda. Since I’m not allowed to keep one at my house, video is the next best thing.

This little cutie may be the world’s worst soccer player, but I think that his real talent is gymnastics. Look at the way he tumbles and rolls! Cirque du Soleil will be scouting him for their next spectacular.

Thanks to Beth for sending in this rolly-polly pick-me-up!

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Emu oil, a “medicine cabinet in a bottle,” speeds healing, helps with inflammation and acts as a topical pain reliever.  Order a bottle of Tigertail Foods Emu Oil and use it for burns, cuts, even arthritis and sports related soreness.

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Posted in Exotics | Tagged , , ,

Ricochet Helps Dream Come True for Brain Damaged 2-Year Old

Written by Alexis on August 31st, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Our friends Ricochet, the SURFice dog, and her mom Judy continue to inspire and impress us (not to mention occasionally move us to tears!) with their good work.  Today we are so very proud to announce yet another wonderful act of kindness that Ricochet and Judy performed to make a little girl and her family’s dream come true.

SURF DOG RICOCHET & ENDLESS POOLS TEAM UP TO MAKE
$11,000 DREAM COME TRUE FOR BRAIN INJURED 2 YEAR OLD!

Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who has won several surf dog contests, and more notably inspires people around the world as she raises awareness and funds for human/animal causes, teamed up with Endless Pools, to make a brain injured two year olds dream come true!  A $11,000 therapy pool will be delivered to Finnley in the next couple weeks, as part of Ricochet’s fundraiser for her.

Finnley was born with brain damage due to oxygen being cut off to her brain during delivery.  She was only expected to live one to 72 hours.  But, 2 years later… she is a living miracle!  However, her brain damage caused cerebral palsy, seizures, and vision impairment.  She’s not able to walk or talk, but loves classical music.  Her cerebral palsy tightens her muscles, but when she’s in a pool, she’s able to move her arms and legs.  Her parents have been saving to purchase a therapeutic swimming pool for their home, so Finnley can get the daily therapy she needs, but it’s very costly… over $11,000.

When Ricochet heard about their situation, she started fundraising for Finnley right away.  Four weeks into the fundraiser, Ricochet came up with the idea of calling Endless Pools to see if they’d be willing to help her make Finnley’s dream come true even sooner.

When Endless Pools heard how Ricochet lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward, saw her SURFice Dog video, and learned more about Finnley’s Story, they immediately wanted to be part of the project.  They “came to the rescue” and offered a significant special needs discount!!  The funds Ricochet raised, coupled with the discount meant the family only had to come up with $2560, which they had in an account from previous fundraising they’ve done.

Finnley’s mom, Care was in tears when she heard the news, and said “The pool is going to allow Finnley to get the physical therapy she so desperately needs… thank you so much, I’m so grateful” And, Finnley herself, although she doesn’t talk right now, broke out into a huge smile! Click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPulSq6hMV8 to see it on video!

Ricochet sincerely thanks Endless Pools, and her donors for their generosity, and help in making Finnley’s dream come true!

Endless Pools, Inc was founded in 1988 to create a product that allows individuals to experience the benefits of water exercise and therapy in the comfort and privacy of their own homes.  Their company is dedicated to excellence in design and manufacturing, as well as courteous and comprehensive customer service.  Endless Pool’s goal is to build and deliver an exercise machine that can be assembled easily, that offers an infinite array of installation design solutions, and requires minimal maintenance for the pool owner.  They endeavor to build Endless Pools that take up a smaller footprint, use less water, require fewer chemicals and consume less energy than traditional pools do.

Ricochet was slated to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but, due to her interest in chasing prey, she had to be released from that role.  She went from service dog to SURFice dog, and is now raising funds and awareness for human and animal causes.  She has raised over $48,000 in the last 10 months, and continues to inspire people all over the world with her positive energy, and charitable lifestyle

Note:  For more information, contact Judy Fridono at 707-228-0679 or pawinspired@aol.com.

http://www.surfdogricochet.com.  On Facebook & Twitter: “Surf Dog Ricochet”
http://www.EndlessPools.com
http://finnleykate.blogspot.com/

SURFice dog video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

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Tigertail Foods’ Rescue Rebate Program helps the rescue group of your choice by donating a portion of every purchase.  If you have a rescue group you want to support, contact us and let us know.

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Posted in community, cool news | Tagged , , ,

Pallas’ Cat

Written by Alexis on August 31st, 2010 — Leave a Comment

You think your cat is the definition of “cute, but psycho” — meet the cat that taught all other cats the real meaning of “twitchy”.  Meet the Pallas’ Cat.

The Pallas’ Cat or Otocolobus manul is a wild cat native to central Asia.  They got their name from Peter Pallas, a German zoologist and botanist who worked in Russia. He first observed the cats in 1776. Pallas initially thought that they were the forerunners of the modern Persian breed to which the bear a resemblance; however, the Pallas’ cat is a completely different species and unrelated to any domestic breed of cat.

Pallas’ Cats are about the size of ordinary housecats – usually weighing about 5 to 10 pounds.  They are very stocky and muscular, with shorter legs than other cats of this size and this gives them boxy-shaped bodies. They have very long coats and the hair on its belly and tail is twice as long as on the top and sides.  This protects them from the snow as they stalk prey. Pallas’ Cats have distinctively flattened faces, small, low-set ears, both help them hunt in the snow where there is little cover.  Their pupils are round, instead of the vertical pupils found in every other feline.  The Pallas’ Cat varies in color from gray to reddish brow to buff.  The coat color appears to depend largely on where the Cat lives – The coat on their bodies has vertical stripes which aren’t always easy to make out in all of its long hair, especially as the fur is tipped with white.  This gives it better camouflage to blend into its surroundings.   The cats have long, thick tails which they use to balance.  Everything about their bodies are adapted for life at high altitude and hunting in snow.

Their exceptionally stocky build makes it difficult to run at any speed, so when they are faced with a threat they will hide near boulders or in small crevasses when chased.  If they can’t hide and must fight, they make fierce opponents.  The Pallas’ Cats are known for their exceedingly aggressive temperaments.  They have an effective threat display (seen in the video) wherein they pull up their upper lip, which shows off their large canine tooth, and then make it quiver on one side (ala Billy Idol).

They live for about 12 years, and are mature by the age of one year. Female Pallas’ Cats have litters of six to eight kittens once a year in the spring.  The kittens begin growling before they eyes open.  They are solitary animals who survive on a diet of rodents, birds and their favorite choice morsel, the pika – a small animal closely related to rabbits.  Pallas’ Cats hunt at dawn and dusk (crepuscular hunters).

There status is listed as near threatened, and in some areas their population has gone into steep decline.  The primary reason is over-hunting for its coat (although it is legally protected).  The secondary cause is from passive poisoning  – the farmers poison the pikas, they are viewed as destructive pests to their crops, and then the Pallas’ Cats will ingest a poisoned pika.

Conservation efforts in the form of captive breeding programs have not been terribly successful.  While the Cats have no trouble mating and producing offspring in captive setting, the survival rate of the kittens is low owing to infection.  The Pallas’ Cat is usually susceptible to toxoplasmosis, and so breeding programs have to take extreme measures to ensure the animals do not come in contact with the parasite that causes it.

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Do you have cats and dogs and want one good, healthy treat they both will love?  Get a bag of Tigertail Foods’ Tuna or Liver Bark and watch them all come running!

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Posted in Exotics | Tagged , , , ,

Cheetah and Lion Meet (video)

Written by Alexis on August 30th, 2010 — Leave a Comment

This BBC Wildlife video is the visual equivalent of two cups of coffee and is just the thing to kickstart your Monday…

Cheetahs are notoriously weak (relatively) for being big predatory cats – hence why they are so fast.  Their speed allows them to not only catch their prey, but also to run away from the other big cats that can easily kill them.  The bravery this cheetah mother shows is heart-wrenching when you consider that she is absolutely willing to sacrifice herself so that her cubs can have a chance at surviving.

Let’s hope Monday goes a little better for all of us and we don’t have to face down our own personal lions!

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Keep your dog at maximum health and vitality by feeding Tigertail Food’s Wholistic Raw Pet Food — available in Original, Diet and Grain-Free.

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Posted in Exotics | Tagged , , ,

Friday Quote – Mutt, or the All-American Breed

Written by Alexis on August 27th, 2010 — Leave a Comment

I think I stumbled upon a new designer dog breed!  Quick! Everyone must get one . . . of course, you wouldn’t want to be seen roaming the streets with it.

Notice that even the shorts have dogs on them!

Breed a Boxer with a German Shorthaired Pointer, you get a Boxershorts. A dog never seen in public.
~Good Dog magazine

This is the last weekend of August (!!!) so get out, go for a hike, a swim, a long walk with your best friend and make the most of what has been, so far, a very hot and lovely summer!  Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here Monday!

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This is the last weekend we will be selling this month’s Flavor of the Month – Bacon Cheeseburger.  If you haven’t ordered a bag or two for your pups yet, make sure you do it now before – like this summer – they’re goooooone!

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Posted in community | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Weekly News Round Up 8/27/10

Written by Alexis on August 27th, 2010 — Leave a Comment

It’s Friday the 27th of August, a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and here’s the rest of the news from the animal world…

Are you allergic to cats? Maybe you’re more allergic to black cats than a tabby or tiger – at least that’s one surprising (but unlikely) possibility from a recent study. . . In Scotland, a very tiny kitten took a rather rough ride on the underside of an engine for about 20 miles (the photo is ahhh-inspiring!). . . Unlike how that Scottish kitten rode, AAA announced the most dog-friendly vehicles out there . . .  And while most dogs take to the highway in cars, this lucky pup was saved through a group effort as he was running on the freeway. . . Kids and firefighters came together to save a kitten from a storm drain. The kitten has been adopted and named Smokey in honor of its rescuers. . . Oscar the death-predicting cat (mentioned in last week’s round up) is getting a film deal. Of course, he is. . . Bears in an Alaskan wildlife preserve are getting mostly fresh wild blueberries compliments of Costco (giving me one more reason to love that company) . . . We all had teddy bears, but 1 in 4 men pack them along for the trip, so says a poll (Really???) . . .  A New Hampshire man who was taking out his trash surprised a black bear that was trapped in the dumpster.  The bear responded to the lid opening by taking a swipe at the guy. Best line in the article “‘He kind of had that look on his face — if a bear could have a look on his face — as if to say, ‘Ooh I really didn’t mean that,” Allard said.” – I hope this doesn’t become the reason Mr. TigertailFoods stops taking out the trash.

Photo of the Week:

Great Horned Owl sez, "I did NOT need that last double espresso!"

Video of the Week:

Woot! Woot! Raise the roof and get down!  This baby panda has got all the moves…

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Labrador Harbor is our Rescue of the Month.  They help owners and rescue groups with the financial burden of medical care for Labrador Retrievers, ensuring the dogs’ health and continued well-being. A portion of each unaffiliated purchase will go to support their work.

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Anthropomorphize Much? Depends on Where You Live

Written by Alexis on August 26th, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Is your dog one of the kids?

Look at your dog.  Are you seeing a dog or your child?  If you live in the city you are more likely to view your pets as family.

A study entitled “‘I Can’t Be Without a Dog!’ Understanding Variations in Interactions and Relationships with Pets” was conducted at Indiana University South Bend by David Blouin, assistant professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology found that the way you treat your dog greatly depends on where you live.

Unsurprisingly, he established that people often have very intense attachments to their pets and pets are often an integral part of their daily routines.

“To think of pets as just another animal is not uncommon in rural areas, which makes sense given the utilitarian relationships people in rural areas are more likely to have with a range of different animals — from farm to wild animals,” said Blouin.

However, no matter where you live your family dynamics also play a large part in the level of attachment you have toward your pets – the most influential factor is having children.  ”If you have kids, you have less time to spend with your pets,” Blouin explained.  He then expanded on this, “That’s part of it, but not the whole story. People who think of their pets as children often re-evaluate this thought when they have human children of their own.”

Whether this change was due to lack of time resources to spend with the pet or because the self-definition of what having a child meant to the respondents was not absolute. “Part of it is time and money, perhaps just not having the resources,” he said. “But also part of it is about definition.”

The study also found that pet owners attention to their pets’ health was tied to how they felt about their relationship to their pets.  The more important the status of the animal, the more money and time the owners were willing to spend addressing health concerns.  Of the almost 600 participants 93% of dog owners and 77% of cat owners took their pets to the vet at least once a year.  Many owners felt that their pet’s health was a major issue as their animals aged.

And, as the owner’s definition of the relationship with the pet changed when they had children, the dynamic shifted back when the human children grew older.  Empty-nesters reported having closer bonds to their pets after their children left the house.

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Tigertail Foods’ Rescue Rebate Program helps the rescue group of your choice by donating a portion of every purchase.  If you have a rescue group you want to support, contact us and let us know.

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Posted in Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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