Ideal Bite

At an HSUS (Humane Society of the U.S.) town-hall meeting in SF last week (for other cities, RSVP here), I chatted with the president, Wayne Pacelle (see photo), and got updates on everything from factory farming to wild horses (this just in: As of Jan. 1 here in CA, tail-docking of dairy cows is banned, thanks to a bill from Senator Florez).

In honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (this week), I thought I'd call out HSUS's new Shelter Pet Project (video intro here), which is aimed at removing the stigma of shelter animals. Many potential pet owners assume that shelter animals are behaviorally difficult or sick (most are Read the full post... 

Last week I traveled back to my hometown Harrisburg from NYC for my older sister’s baby shower. Brooke is having a girl, Julianna Rose, and it’s the first baby of the fam – very exciting. She trekked all the way from Savannah and despite it being her shower, she came baring gifts for me…well, my pooch. 

She brought up human-grade, dog treats from Oliver Bentleys – handmade biscuits with organic and locally-sourced ingreds like honey from the Savannah Bee Company. My pup loves them and it got me thinking about Halloween. I love, love, love sweets and so does my little one – so this Halloween I’m going to have a bucket o’ candy for the kiddies and Oliver Bentleys on hand for the pups. Plus, since I’m Read the full post... 

I moved to Seattle from Breckenridge, CO, and while I for sure miss the expanse of hiking trails just outside my back door, I know my Labradors, Marley and Cooper, miss it even more. So with thoughts of my happy pups frolicking in the woods, one of the many press releases that ping into my inbox caught my eye recently: 

"Fetchstix - Mother Nature's Dog Toy: The Vermont-made toys will be especially well received by urban dogs, who can have a hard time finding real sticks to play with. Owners will love the ease of operation as well as the simple to follow instructions and the availability of a technical support line (really!)."

Intrigued, I delved in for more info, only to discover...it's a stick. A wooden stick. That you pay money for. And that is all. Eco-friendly? Sure. Worth $13 for a Read the full post... 

In honor of my sweet black Lab Cooper's 12th birthday today, I thought I'd hook you Biters up with a supereasy homemade dog treat recipe (one of Coop's faves). Bone appétit!

Cooper's Cookies
Makes about 1 1/4 lbs. of treats

Ingredients:
(local and organic whenever possible)

3/4 c free-range chicken broth
1/3 c butter, softened
1/2 c powdered milk
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 egg, beaten
3 c whole wheat flour (try Bluebird Grain)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat chicken broth on stove; remove from heat before it reaches boiling. Combine heated broth and softened butter in large mixing bowl. Stir in powdered milk, salt (optional), and egg. Add in flour 1/2 cup at a Read the full post... 

Meet Bisou…the new little 5 pound ball of fluff running around my apartment. My boyfriend and I adopted her two weeks ago from Waggytail Rescue in NYC. She’s an older lady and has a bit of arthritis and tiny seizures (aww) but was too cute to pass up. Bisou (means “kiss” in French ‘cuz she’s fulla them) was staying with a foster mom who informed us that our Pom is supa picky about what she eats. Currently, she only chows on Dogswell Happy Hips treats (good for her creaky hips) and homemade organic chicken stew sans any grains (best for dogs with seizures) courtesy of moi.

Well it just so happens that out of the blue (talk about timing), Dogswell owner Marco was in town celebrating the Read the full post... 

So I'm supposed to write something up for your Monday morning pleasure, and all I could come up with was depressing news about our power lines needing a $100 billion makeover before the wind power industry will bother to build more windmills, or Obama upholding Bush's decision to limit protection of polar bears under the Endangered Species Act.

So check out a video of some baby pandas. Why not…it's Monday.

-Senior Editor Mike...off to pretend it's still Sunday...
Read the full post... 

We seldom really think about the vanity of pets. They don't use makeup or have shoe obsessions (beyond chewing them); they unselfconsciously drool, hump couches, and chase their tails in public.

But when we lived in the desert, we used to give Toma, our shy retriever, a close shave in summer to help keep him cool and comfortable. But for the first few days following, he actually made himself scarce, hiding under the table or tucking himself behind the barstools...we swear he was blushing beneath those fluffy golden cheeks. Over time, he'd go outside for longer periods, start meeting guests at the door again, snuggle up for a cuddle....and eventually, with a little more fluff on his back, he'd be himself again. (We stopped shaving him quite as close.) And while professional pet grooming for some animals (esp. cats) can be traumatic, I've witnessed more than a few little beasts

Read the full post... 

We seldom really think about the vanity of pets. They don't use makeup or have shoe obsessions (beyond chewing them); they unselfconsciously drool, hump couches, and chase their tails in public.

But when we lived in the desert, we used to give Toma, our shy retriever, a close shave in summer to help keep him cool and comfortable. But for the first few days following, he actually made himself scarce, hiding under the table or tucking himself behind the barstools...we swear he was blushing beneath those fluffy golden cheeks. Over time, he'd go outside for longer periods, start meeting guests at the door again, snuggle up for a cuddle....and eventually, with a little more fluff on his back, he'd be himself again. (We stopped shaving him quite as close.) And while professional pet grooming for some animals (esp. cats) can be traumatic, I've witnessed more than a few little beasts

Read the full post... 

Around the Biter offices, the whole "my cat's cuter than yours" conversation was getting old, and our cat food tip was coming up, so I decided it was time to put the argument to rest. The Biters shall decide, once and for all, which is the most precious kitten. Meet the contestants:

Max (aka Fattie); Owner: Molly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pierrot; Owner: Sara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hendrix; Owner: Elisa



Ella; Owner: Kinsey
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There are a lot of real animals who need people out there, and a lot of people who need animals. Sometimes it just takes an introduction. For some time, I worked as a docent at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum - an organization that treats injured wildlife and re-releases them. In cases where the animals will never be fit for release, the museum employs them as wildlife ambassadors through educational programs, visitor interaction, and natural history exhibits - all with a mind to keeping the animals stimulated and comfortable (raptors, for example, sit on perches high above visitors and get several months time away from the museum each year). Now and then, I'd get to jess up the resident barn owl and share his unique life story with visitors. And although I grew up surrounded by pets, it was always a miraculous thing to earn the trust of Read the full post...