Spring Lake PD purchased a dog who was awarded a Bullet Proof Vest by Vested Interest in K-9s. Right now there is a Groupon for a $10 donation towards Vested Interest in K-9s in order to help provide vests for other K9s.
About Vested Interest in K-9s: http://www.vik9s.org/about-us
Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/vested-interest-in-k9s-inc-2

Watch as Bull Terriers go for a swim in our pool. This footage was featured on Animal Planet’s Too Cute.

If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.
The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.
To date, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has conducted more than 1,200 tests, visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China and collaborated with colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments. Yet the exact cause of the illnesses remains elusive.
To gather even more information, FDA is reaching out to licensed veterinarians and pet owners across the country. “This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we’ve encountered,” says CVM Director Bernadette Dunham, DVM, Ph.D. “Our beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are giving it.”
In a letter addressing U.S. licensed veterinarians, FDA lists what information is needed for labs testing treats and investigating illness and death associated with the treats. In some cases, veterinarians will be asked to provide blood, urine and tissue samples from their patients for further analysis. FDA will request written permission from pet owners and will cover the costs, including shipping, of any tests it requests.
Meanwhile, a consumer fact sheet will accompany the letter to veterinarians so they can alert consumers to the problem and remind them that treats are not essential to a balanced diet. The fact sheet also explains to consumers how they can help FDA’s investigation by reporting potential jerky pet treat-related illnesses online or by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their state.
What to Look Out For
Within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination.
Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder. About 60 percent of cases involved gastrointestinal illness, and about 30 percent involved kidney and urinary systems.
The remaining cases reported various symptoms, such as collapse, convulsions or skin issues.
Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China. Manufacturers of pet foods are not required by U.S. law to state the country of origin for each ingredient in their products.
A number of jerky pet treat products were removed from the market in January 2013 after a New York State lab reported finding evidence of up to six drugs in certain jerky pet treats made in China. While the levels of these drugs were very low and it’s unlikely that they caused the illnesses, FDA noted a decrease in reports of jerky-suspected illnesses after the products were removed from the market. FDA believes that the number of reports may have declined simply because fewer jerky treats were available.
Meanwhile, the agency urges pet owners to be cautious about providing jerky treats. If you do provide them and your pet becomes sick, stop the treats immediately, consider seeing your veterinarian, and save any remaining treats and the packaging for possible testing.
What FDA Is Doing
More than 1,200 jerky pet treat samples have been tested since 2011 for a variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants, from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and Salmonella. DNA testing has also been conducted, along with tests for nutritional composition.
In addition to continuing to test jerky pet treat samples within FDA labs, the agency is working with the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), an FDA-coordinated network of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. and Canada. (A summary of the tests is available on Vet-LIRN’s webpage.)
Inspections of the facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports did not identify the cause of illness. However, they did identify additional paths of investigation, such as the supply chain of some ingredients in the treats. Although FDA inspectors have found no evidence identifying the cause of the spate of illnesses, they did find that one firm used falsified receiving documents for glycerin, a jerky ingredient. Chinese authorities informed FDA that they had seized products at the firm and suspended its exports.
To identify the root cause of this problem, FDA is meeting regularly with regulators in China to share findings. The agency also plans to host Chinese scientists at its veterinary research facility to increase scientific cooperation.
FDA has also reached out to U.S. pet food firms seeking further collaboration on scientific issues and data sharing, and has contracted with diagnostic labs.
“Our fervent hope as animal lovers,” says Dunham, “is that we will soon find the cause of—and put a stop to—these illnesses.”
This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
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http://youtu.be/nbzVlnUbUhI
Watch Derby show off the skills he learned at Shelly’s School for Dogs as he assumes the mantle of Trenton Thunder’s BatDog. Though his responsibilities include returning bats to the dugout at the end of each play and bringing the umpire water, Derby’s primary role to the Thunder is as a source of pride and joy for fans and players alike.

History

Shetland Sheepdogs (“Shelties”) were originally bred by crossing the Border Collie and other Shetland collies, including the Rough Collie, with breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Pomeranian, the now-extinct Greenland Yakki, and quite possibly others besides. In the 1700s, Shelties were working dogs, mainly aiding farmers by herding sheep and acting as guard dogs. They were eventually introduced to mainland Europe, and by the 20th century they’d come to be considered great family companions.

Personality

One Smart Cookie
Hard-working and eager to please, the Sheltie is ranked sixth in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs—sharper than over a hundred other breeds. Coren claims that, on average, a Sheltie can learn a new command in under five repetitions and will obey a command on the first try 95% of the time.
Too Happy to Herd
One of the Sheltie’s most charming habits? The breed is hard-wired to herd. They’ll try to corral humans, other animals, and even cars, so be sure to keep a close eye on them out in the open—never let them run freely near busy streets or roadways.
Home is Where the Heart Is
Shelties absolutely adore their human families. Loyal and protective, they’re excellent with small children. A Sheltie’s defensive instincts make him wary of strangers—he is a guard dog, after all—and he’ll speak up to let you know when new people enter your home. If you’re on the receiving end of a little more protection than you need, don’t worry: your brilliant pup can easily be trained away from this type of behavior in no time.

Care

Work it Out
Shelties are active and inquisitive, and they’ll look to you for daily stimulation to release all that pent-up energy. At least one substantial walk or jog each day, plus a yard to roam, will keep them happy. If you don’t have a backyard, a vigorous game of fetch at the local park should do the trick.
Freshen Up
These handsome fellas love to look good. Their long coats should be brushed out daily with a little water to deter dust and prevent matting; an occasional bath is also a good idea. Note that the breed tends to shed heavily each spring and fall—but other than these seasonal sloughs, Shelties are actually rather average shedders in spite of their lush locks.
From a natural farmhand to one of today’s favorite family pets, the clever Sheltie has come a long way!

History

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is named for King Charles II of Britain and descended from the King Charles Spaniel. In the late 17th century the King Charles was bred with pugs, creating a smaller, more flat-nosed dog with bigger eyes. In 1920s London, a prize was offered to anyone who could present a King Charles Spaniel with a longer nose, honoring that of King Charles II himself, as depicted in Sir Anthony Van Dyck’s paintings. The winner was a dog named Ann’s Son, owned by Mostyn Walker. The modern version of the King Charles was given the name Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and classified as a separate breed in the 1940s.

Personality

Tails Always Wagging The Cavalier King may have royalty-inspired origins, but he won’t snub anyone. He’s a happy little guy, always up for some company. He’s as social as a dog gets with people, dogs, and other animals alike.
TV or the Park? These guys are people pleasers, and can always intuit what you want from them. They’re up for anything, whether it’s a run in the park, curling up on the couch next to you while you read a magazine, or watching the latest episode of Mad Men.
Dog on the Run One tricky thing about the Cavalier is his tendency to chase after things. This means he’s always up for a game of Frisbee, but letting him off the leash can be dangerous in an open area. He’ll chase after anything, from a tennis ball to a Toyota to an airplane, so be careful!

Care

Apartment Compatible The Cavalier is a little guy and can get along in an apartment just fine. A fenced-in backyard is nice, but as long as he gets a daily walk and has some space to run around indoors, it’s not mandatory.
Squeaky Clean Cavaliers need to be brushed at least once a week, and should receive an occasional bath. His coat gets tangled pretty easily, so be sure to check it often. With a name like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these guys clearly are superior pets. They become more and more popular every year and make perfect companions.

History

The Chihuahua is the oldest breed of dog in the Americas, and the smallest breed in the world. Its name originates from its Mexican state of origin, but the Chihuahua’s history is fairly unknown. It’s thought to have been bred from the Fennec fox because of its small size, wide eyes, and big ears, but its exact origin is a mystery. These guys were prized pets of the upper classes in pre-Columbian Indian nations, and weren’t brought to Europe until the end of the nineteenth century.

Personality 

A Good Pal
The Chihuahua is a good companion and enjoys being around people. He’s extremely loyal and good-natured—a good thing, because it’s hard to be around a Chihuahua without wanting to pick him up.
Smart and Energetic
Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs that learn quickly to obey and react well to positive reinforcement.  They have a lot of energy and are very agile.
A Chihuahua Likes His Own Kind
These little guys need to be watched around young kids and other dogs. They require a lot of patience when getting used to children, but can learn to get along well with anyone. When it comes to hanging out with other dogs, they prefer the company of their own breed, but again, with a little bit of patience and care, they can hang with anyone, even the enormous Great Dane!

Care

City Slickers
The Chihuahua is a good choice for apartment dwellers because of his tiny size. He’s well-adapted to city living, though he does need a little space to roam around. He dislikes the cold and does best in warm weather.
A Little Exercise
Even though it’s tempting to carry your tiny Chihuahua, he still needs to be walked like any other dog. A good stroll once a day will give him the exercise he needs, and he loves a game of fetch in the park just as much as the bigger guys.
Coat Care
Your Chihuahua can wear his coat long or short, depending on how often you want to tend it. Long coats need daily attention, while short-coated Chihuahuas can get by with the occasional brushing.
The Chihuahua is called a “purse dog” for a reason: he’s pretty much pocket-sized, and can be easily transported in a reasonably roomy purse. Among the more well-known Chihuahuas who have enjoyed this mode of transportation is Tinkerbell, Paris Hilton’s purse-riding pup.