There it was this ugly wart-like tumor growing out of our dog, Duncan. I was very scared and my mind raced directly to how was I going to tell the kids. I had the growth sent out by my vet to the Michigan State Veternarian School to have it analyzed to see if it was cancerous. It turned out to be a benign growth that is somewhat common to retrievers. In a recent front page article in the Grand Rapids Press entitled “Is the cure for cancer found in canines?” http://tinyurl.com/y83838x, dogs and dogs with cancerous tumors and cancer-causing genes were helping with cancer research by providing research material for the scientist at Van Andel institute. Some of the scientist were studying hemangiosarcoma, a cancer to the blood vessels in Clumber Spaniels. This research helps both man and animals. If your dog has cancer and you would like to donate the DNA please contact Dr. Roe Froman. Our dear canines once again, give back to us so much, hopefully through research we can give back to them as well.

What the hell is this clipcleany and why can’t I find it on this stupid site?
I invented the clipcleany, a small dog leash accessory that would fit on a dog’s leash that holds dog refuse bags, money, treats wipes and features a safety light. Won 2nd place in Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention contest in the Green category. Was whisked away to their headquarters to learn more about Whirlpool, I felt like one of those kids with Wiley Wonka’s golden ticket touring Whirlpool’s headquarters and sitting in on marketing, sustainability, licensing and other business seminars. How did I get there? I was a stay-at-home mom with four kids and an annoying little idea. Instead of burying the idea, or eating the idea, I took the leap and started developing the idea. Slowy. I went to an engineering firm first and they thought it was great, which lead me to my patent attorney, to prototype makers, to a business plan class, which the instructor wrote about this little contest, “Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention” contest. I thought I will enter the contest; it will help me complete my business plan because it will give a cause, and a definite deadline. I beat out over 2000 applicants if I would have known that I might have convinced myself not to try—stupid idea anyway. But I just Nike(d) it “Just did It” For me, and for the sake of adventure. I have had some press and TV interviews all trying to find the right deal to get the ClipCleany made. I’ve tried conventional ways to try to get the ClipCleany to market and unconventional—trying out for reality TV shows like Shark Tank and Mom Inc. I have come awful close….with the emphasis on awful, because that’s what it feels like when a deal doesn’t go through or you are, but aren’t, chosen for a show. Can you control the rollercoaster of product development to product for sale? No. But you do choose if you want to ride. Hopefully soon you will see clipcleany all over this site and be able to buy one. Thank you to Chris Brogan who inspired me, through his awesomeness, to write my short story inspired by Donald Miller’s book, “A million Miles in a Thousand Years.”
check out Chris’ post www.chrisbrogan.com/importance-of-story/

This is a warning email that I recieved from a really good source. I haven’t been able to verify this information. I will look into this, but thought I should pass this on

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don’t have a pet, please pass this to those who do.
| Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn’t acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.
| Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company’s web site,
| this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
| Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that “It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it.”
| *Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp *
| Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called ‘Theobromine’. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells li ke chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.
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| Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
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| **PLEASE PASS THIS ON**

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My 11 pound miniature poodle broke into my daughter’s room and ate a Dove 6 oz chocolate bunny. The dog has an apparent death wish. Should I….1) call vet start CPR 2) Wait and See 3) give him something to make him throw up? Oh, wait scratch #3, he just threw up. Next post: How to pick up chocolate dog puke off your carpet.