Wisconsin has just taken measures with a bill, A.B. 842, and its Senate companion, S.B. 663, which requires the addition of a bitter flavor agent to antifreeze to help prevent animals and children from ingesting the compound. The Humane Society of the United States along with Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, and Sen. Jeff Plale, D-Milwaukee were instrumental in getting the bill together and passed. Even greater, the legislation was also supported by The HSUS, HSLF, Consumer Specialty Products Association and Honeywell International, manufacturers of Prestone®, one of the country’s best-known brands of antifreeze.

Other states are also working on similar bills including: Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio. It is really great to see the consumer product groups working together with animal advocates and advocacy groups.

Story: The Humane Society of the United States

Jim Cole: AP

Einstein, the pinto stallion possibly set a new world record last week for the lighest foal when he was born at a scale tapping 6 pounds and only 14 inches in height. Einstein was born at a Mini Horse Farm in Barnstead, NH.

Source: WMUR New Hampshire

Click here for the article at chron.com

In a strategic move to enter the booming dog washing sector of this global economy Toyota’s engineers have been working on this breakthrough device. For about $11 US dollars you can walk your dog down to the local Dog Washateria and a few minutes later walk out $11 poorer but with a clean, Downey Fresh dog.

One has to wonder, is this what the quality control engineers at Toyota were designing when they should have been inspecting Prius’? One can only imagine. Now that the dog washing machine has officially launched one can hope the engineers will return to their duties in Quality Control.

Photo: Mike Walker

Are you still looking for a solution to get the squirrels to stop eating all of the bird food you put out? Jane Roberts of Hampshire England may have accidentally discovered the solution of all solutions. Jane had the brilliant idea to cut holes in coconuts and then hang them from one of her trees. Turns out the squirrels are so crazy for the coconuts they forget about the bird seed. Not only do you solve the bird seed problem but you also can get hours of entertainment and great photo opportunities. For even more entertainment and better photos you draw faces or whatever floats your boat on the coconuts.

Stayed tuned! I have had a family of squirrels living in my Palm tree for several years now and they just absolutely demolish any and all bird food that we put in the yard. I will be trying out the coconut trick in the near future and will hopefully be posting pictures of my success.

Source: Sky News

Not only can you track your kids nowadays via GPS technology but now Positioning Animals Worldwide, Inc. can help you track your dog that might have a tendency to stay out past curfew chasing tail like your teenager, but cat tails that is. The Spotlight GPS device fits onto your dog’s collar and provides 24/7 real-time locating services. Tracking can be done via the internet, calling AKC Companion Animal Recovery (1 888 DOG-LOC8) or now via a free iphone application.

The SpotLight GPS Pet Locator mobile iPhone app is a free download at Apple iTunes . To view and download visit:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotlight-gps-pet-locator/id351109362?mt=8.

The device is not cheap, $249.99, but becomes very reasonable considering the value it could bring to you and your family. In addition to the cost of the device there is also a monthly charge of $7.99 to $19.99 depending on how many times you plan to have to utilize the locator.

The only thing I wish was different about this product is its size or location. While it could be invaluable for recovering your dog when he/she gets lost it is probably only marginally effective at preventing dognappers. God forbid you dog gets stolen, but one of the first things the thief is going to do is get rid of any proof of ownership or in other words the dogs collar. Once the thief does this the tracking capabilities value significantly decreases. If your dog is microchipped, obviously that evidence would still be there but it’s only good if you know where the dog is at. This may sound a little like Gattica, but I would be in favor of some sort of implantable GPS device.

I certainly do not agree with what Mr. MacQuattie did but I am not sure how they classify this as unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine. That law is aimed at unlicensed veterinarians who open up a practice and profit from the practicing of veterinary medicine. Mr. MacQuattie was simply doing what he probably thought was best for his dog. Doesn’t mean it was the right conclusion to come to but nonetheless I do not think he thought he was doing anything wrong. If they are going to apply this law in this manner then where do they draw the line? If I accidentally injure one of my dogs while trying to clean their ears or eyes am I unlawfully practicing veterinary medicine?

Source: MSNBC

Humans are not the only ones prone to periodontal disease! Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. Do you know the best way to prevent periodontal disease? If you brush your teeth than you do! So take a moment to visit the AVMA website this month which gives detailed instructions on how to go about brushing your pets teeth and dedicate yourself to your dogs dental health!

Note: Unfortunately brushing your pets teeth is not always as easy as it sounds, just ask any of my pets.

Story: AVMA

I think this is a great idea although outside of California I think similar ordinances will have a harder time gaining traction. However there is evidence that the business model can work, both Petsmart and Petco refuse to sell puppies and kittens.

Story: HSUS