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.

Today I renewed my dog license at a local government office. I had to ask, “Why do I have to have a license?” The lady behind the counter said something to the effect, ‘I don’t really know, it probably has to do with vaccines. I had a lady in here from Texas and she was shocked that you needed a license, they don’t in Texas.’ Then she got out a small ring bound booklet that stated that ‘… if your dog is not licensed you may be fined $50 and still need to purchase a license. The license must be worn at all times (by the dog).’ She then informed me that the county she lives in the license is good for three years, the same number of years a rabies shot is good for. This made a little more sense to me. I seriously thought of three things after this exchange: 1) Well, do I want people running around with rabid dogs; people that run around with rabid dogs won’t go get a license for their dogs hmmmm 2) If you have to have one for your dogs, why not for your kids, they bite and carry all kinds of germs…should keep this thought to myself, I don’t need to pay anymore fees. 3) Texas Rocks!

This was sent to me by a fan. I did not take these photos. They do explain, and in some cases excuse, why dogs bite, enjoy!

The miracle of birth–check out these Chinese Crested born today. Cindy, from Cindy’s Chihuahua’s sent me these pictures and I just had to share. Chinese Crested come in two distinct varieties, the hairless and the powder puff. Hairless Cresteds only have hair on their feet head and tails while powder puffs have a long soft coat. These dogs are good for allergy sufferers, especially the hairless, but they may need coats and sweaters in cooler climates. These dogs originated in Africa and were picked up by Chinese merchant ships. To learn more about this unique breed please visit one of the best breed info sites www.dogbreedinfo.com If interested in purchasing please contact Cindy, www.cindyschihuahuas.com.