You know that I strive to maintain a healthy variety of pet food on my site. I specially pick companies that give dogs and cats the healthy choices necessary for a happy and active pet life. One of the criteria Dr. Fox has taught me is to avoid genetically engineered grains. Last week three dog foods were recalled due to growth of corn mold in the dog food-growth that could have been avoided by avoiding these engineered grains.

Proctor & Gamble and the U.S. Food and Drug administration announced on Dec 6, 2011 that one lot of P&G's Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food is being recalled due to high levels of the extremely toxic mold, aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin is a by-product from the growth of the corn mold Aspergillus flavus, which is now especially prevalent in herbicide resistant genetically engineered corn which should be carefully tested for contamination ideally soon after harvesting and after storage just prior to inclusion on pet foods and livestock feed.

According to the FDA, the recalled IAMS dog food was distributed to specific retailers in the following states: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA. Specific retailers are not named, and it is not clear how many bags are contaminated. in the recall notice, but the FDA states that it is a limited number. It is also unclear how many bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dog food is included in one lot. The recalled dog food has a use by or expiration date of either February 5 or February 6, 2013. Consumers who purchased the recalled Iams dry dog food should stop using it and return it to the store. They can also call P&G at 866-908-1569.

Cargill Inc. reported that corn containing higher-than-acceptable levels of aflatoxin was delivered to their plant in LeCompte, La. After routine testing by Louisiana state regulators found that some of Cargill’s own tests had been underestimating aflatoxin levels (Star Tribune, Dec 8, 2011), Cargill reported the problem to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is recalling all River Run and Marksman dry dog food manufactured at the LA plant between Dec.1, 2010, and Dec.1, 2011, now on the market in 13 states: KA,MO,OK,AR,LA,MI,TN,KY,IND,IL, HI, FL,CA, Guam and the Virgin Islands. If you have questions, call Cargill’s hotline at 1-855-460-1532.

In response to these recalls, I am offering a 15% discount on all of my pet food at TwoBitDog.com. Use the promotion code: MYZWU. This offer will expire 1/1/2012.

It is no secret that my friend, Dr. Fox, is a strict advocate for only the most pet-friendly, naturally formulated foods. He is quoted saying, "I have come to believe that dogs and cats should not be fed most manufactured pet foods as their main or only source of nutritional substance."A healthy diet produces healthy pets.

I admit I love to chew a dirty sock and drink river water, but hanging out with Dr. Fox has made me aware of the needs of good food. I have always prided myself in selecting the best brands available to sale on my website. Variety in diet mitigates deficiencies in a single food. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but if that's all your eating you'll not be healthy. Therefore the foods I offer abound in variety.

And now I have worked with Dr. Fox to create a seal for the extra special brands that he feeds his own pets! Check the pet food section of TwoBitDog.com for the seal at the top of this post. Remember, when you see this seal, you know the product is Dr. Fox recommended!

As more people are realizing the importance of healthy diets and saying 'no' to junk/fast food, may more pet owners start giving their pets' better lives by giving them better food.

I am pleased to announce that I have secured the rights to sell Pinnacle Holistic Dog and Cat Food at my ecommerce store. Dr. Fox has been asking me to get them for some time with their all-natural wholesome foods. Pinnacle is rich in everything a dog and cat need and they are free of those things that may cause harm to us.

Dr. Fox has tried hard to dispel the lies that there is a difference between dog food and people food. Pinnacle has flavors that sounds like an entrée at a fine restaurant. I will be ordering myself the fresh trout and delicious sweet potatoes. But there is also the duck and potato and the chicken and oatmeal. You can get a 12 can case now for $26.95.

Oooo, it's hard to type as I drool on the keyboard. It is hard to type anyhow because my paws have a hard time hitting the correct keys.

Be sure you check out the selection of Pinnacle Holistic Pet Food. I also have 8 other new pet food brands on my Pet Food page.

I came across this print ad for Bark in the Park Event that Purina was putting on in New Zealand. I can't imagine how many dogs would have disqualified themselves during the casting call for the ad. I would not have been able to do it. I'm too social. I love to meet and great. How they just be sitting in line?

I can tell you this... I would not have wanted to go to that event. If the lines are that long to the bathroom and nobody's talking or playing, then I'm out.

Last week I explored what cats are saying, now I have found what cats are dreaming. I may soon become an expert on cat psychology. These images are from photographer, Theresa Knudson. She took pictures of her cat stretched out on the carpet and added paper cutout representations on what her cat was dreaming about. The closeness between cat and owner to know exactly what the other is dreaming about is fascinating. It is also amazing how long that cat had to stay in one position while Theresa made the dream representation. They are fascinating pictures and help me in my study of cats.

(via Toxel)

I have never been that good at speaking cat. I will go over and try to sniff them, but they will either run away or smack my nose. I have never really been close to a cat. This lady on the other hand is fluent in catspeak. She seems to be able to read their minds and can communicate with them. It is amazing what humans can learn.

This video is part of a segment for Commercial Kings which debuts tomorrow night on the IFC network. The hosts of the show are going around and making TV commercials for local businesses. I can't tell if they are making fun of them or just having fun. Either way it is funny and the first show is about a cat business and a dog business. You can watch the full episode on the IFC Friday 6/24 at 10/9c.

This video is almost too much. Why do people think it is funny to tease us. Is it because we will still love you anyway? This kind of behavior has to stop!

image courtesy of Free Stitch

As the weather is getting warmer, people are heading outdoors to get more exercise. Exercise is one of those things that people seem to have a hard time keeping up with. Let me offer you a suggest: get a dog. Get to your local animal shelter and pick out a nice indoor dog for yourself. Having yourself a dog forces you to get out and exercise. Researchers from Michigan State University that 60% of you will meet federal criteria for regular moderate or vigorous exercise just by walking your dog. It is only 1/3 of those without dogs get that much regular exercise.

Speaking as a dog, I still get happy whenever I see the leash. Dogs were meant to walk with our friends. I know it appears many of us just lie around all day, but even 30 minutes a day of exploring rejuvenates us. It does the same for humans. Change your routine. Meet your neighbors. Be an all-around better person, and get active.

For more information, check out the article Forget the Treadmill. Get a Dog. in the NY Times.

This is a bit old, but it is fun idea: what is the right pet for you. The Washington Post put this together several years ago (which you can kind of tell), but it goes through some simple helps to know what kind of pet is right for you. Have fun. It also ends with information on how to take care of the pet chosen.

I attended a little girl's birthday the other day and was pleased to see another dog there. To my surprise he was part of the entertainment. This dog, Canon, was part of the local police force and came to love on some kids.

This was a beast of a dog. His handler had him bark for the kids and I cowered under the table. Now, I'm from the streets, so it was quite embarrassing. I played it off by coming out chewing some fallen cookies.

One interesting tidbit I found out from this police dog is that he is trained to respond to commands in a language other than English. Seems that all police dogs are trained this way so that bad guys would not be able to give instructions to them.

I thought it was pretty clever, but it made for some boring small talk since we couldn't communicate.