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Since Sarah and I adopted Coconut, our Labrador Shar Pei about a year and a half ago, we’ve fed her a combination of canned food from Evanger’s Dog Food of Wheeling, IL and dry food from Fromm, based out of Mequon, WI.  We chose products from these two companies because of their dedication to using only premium ingredients.  Their proximity to Chicago was a big plus, too!

It looks like we’re going to have to make a choice as of today!  Late last night, the Federal Drug Administration, which keeps tabs on veterinary practices, has pulled an invaluable license from Evanger’s.  According to the FDA, Evanger’s has failed to document important manufacturing business practices.

“The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.”

Botulism?  Ouch!  Looks like it’s time to find a new pet food.

Evanger’s response? Their CEO released a press release trying to spin the situation, by saying the problem is simply a paperwork oversight.  Other’s don’t seem to agree.

After being fed Evanger’s Pheasant dog food, which is one of Coconut’s favorites, Leslie’s Chihuahua became extremely ill.  “He was urinating constantly, vomiting bile, his eyes were sunken from dehydration, and he had horrible lethargy,” she said. “He wouldn’t get up and do anything. This is a Chihuahua who loved to play. One of my neighbor’s came over and said it looked liked Remy had aged ten years.”  (Source:  http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/06/fda_evangers02.html#ixzz0IdEUQ5Xd&D)

Any suggestions on what to replace Evanger’s with?

My dog is taking Dexatrim!

Poor Coconut, our 14 month old Labrador/Shar Pei!  For the past month, Sarah and I thought she was being a devil of a dog!  Without warning, she would squat down and start urinating in our condo!  Our immediate reaction?  “BAD DOG!!”  Because she has been housebroken for some time now, such behavior is quite unusual.

Yesterday was the last straw.  While sitting on the couch and eating my Cinnamon Toast Crunch (yes, this is true…), she jumped off of the couch and urinated on the floor!  This time I got up, scolded her, and sent her to her crate.  She shook in fear as I walked away.

It’s time for some professional help

I immediately picked up the phone and dialed up our vet to schedule an appointment.  In preparation for the appointment, I was asked to bring in a stool sample.  Lovely.  We drove to the vet this morning, sample in tow, and patiently waited for our name to be called.  Naturally, a young girl sat down right next to us (and our smelly poop bag!).  I was humiliated.  I’m sure she thought I smelled like dung.

After waiting hours to to be seen and $319.08 later, the prognosis was delivered:  Coconut has Urinary Incontinence.  In other words, she does not have the ability to hold her urine.  Poor thing.

She has been prescribed 50mg of Phenylpropanolamine, which is supposed to help strengthen her muscles so that she can hold her urine.  I guess it’s a pill form of kegels.

Well, being the good pet owner that I am, I came home tonight and looked Phenylpropanolamine up online.  As it turns out, at one time, Phenylpropanolamine was the active ingredient in Dexatrim!  Poor Coconut.  My 35-40 pound dog is going to grow a complex.

Then again, if she could talk, I’m sure she’d ask me not to place this blog entry onto the Internet for everyone to read. 

(Photo: Me, Lisa Greene, Mike LeBaron)

I feel bad for my mom and dad, who saved their pennies to make sure that my sister and I could have braces and later, perfect teeth.  So today, I have straight teeth, but a goofy looking smile.

With that said, I need help.  I need to reinvent my smile.  No, I scratch that.  I need to reinvent my “picture smile.”  I think my normal & natural smile is just fine.  It’s the smile that I put on when it’s picture time that looks just goofy.  It’s true.  As a result of my silly “picture smile,” I’m self concious and HATE having my picture taken.

(Photo:  Mike Lebaron, Mike Peterson, Lisa Greene, & Me)
Note the goofy smile…

How to Smile
This website is telling me to think happy thoughts.  Ok, yeah, that will work!  Right…

And this website is telling me that it’s not my fault, it’s the photographers fault!  If the photographer follows a few simple steps like taking a couple of pictures immediatley after saying “cheese,” he or she will end up with a natural looking smile.

Any tips on capturing a great smile on film?

Join your fellow Young Professionals for McCain and members of the Chicago Young Republicans for a get-out-the-vote rooftop rally as we begin our final sprint toward the finish line otherwise known as the White House.  We’ll gather in Barack Obama’s backyard to rally the Republican troops and to paint this Democratic town a bright shade of red.

For a mere $25, attendees will enjoy an open bar with beer, wine, soda and water served. Light appetizers will also be offered. The rooftop deck offers an amazing view of the downtown skyline as we make the most of the waning warm days of summer. Most importantly, meet and network with fellow supporters of John McCain and committed young Republicans as we join hands to make history this fall, and for many years ahead. Collectively, John McCain and Sarah Palin represent the new leadership of the Republican Party, and we stand as its future.

RSVP’s are strongly encouraged for the purposes of providing our organizations with a solid head count in advance so that we will have an ample supply of food and beverages on hand. Email (ilypsformccain@gmail.com) or call Shawn Healy at (312.505.6579). Please bring a friend, co-worker, or family member, and make this early fall gathering one to remember.

Sarah and I are planning on attending.  We hope to see you there as well!

Ciao!

RH
rick @ rickonair.com