With Thousands of Pet Foods on the Market: How Do You Make the Optimal Choice?

With thousands of pet foods on the market, how do you make the optimal choice? Pet food labels are a good place to start. Understanding the label information can help you make informed decisions about what you are feeding your pets.

Which Parts of the Label Help Assess Food Quality?

The following key components of a pet food label can help you evaluate nutritional information:

• A nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) 

• A list of ingredients (in descending order by weight)

• A guaranteed analysis

What Does the Nutritional Adequacy Statement Reveal?
The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement declares if the product or treat is complete and balanced, and whether it should be fed under veterinary supervision. The following types of nutritional adequacy statements can appear on a pet food label:

• Animal feeding trials using AAFCO procedures show that the product provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages or a particular stage.

• The product is formulated to meet the nutrient levels established by AAFCO for a particular life stage or for all life stages.

• The product is intended for intermittent or supplemental use only.

The presence of either of the first two statements means that a food can be used as the sole source of nutrition. “Complete and balanced” means that a food has all the recognized, required nutrients in the proper proportions, when fed appropriately.

In a feeding trial, a product is fed to a certain number of dogs or cats for a specified period of time to determine whether it provides adequate nutrition. By conducting feeding trials, pet food companies ensure that animals in a particular life stage (i.e., pregnant, nursing, growing, adult maintenance) will obtain proper nutrition from a food. Feeding trials also provide some assurance of palatability (how good the food tastes to pets) and the availability of nutrients.

When a food is formulated by calculation or chemical analysis, the nutrients may meet the maximum or minimum levels established by AAFCO, but because the finished product is not fed to animals, availability of nutrients and palatability are not assessed.

The nutritional adequacy statement regarding intermittent or supplemental feeding applies to treats, or to special diets that require a veterinarian to monitor the pet.

What Should I Know About the Ingredients?

Here are some important facts about pet food ingredients:

• The ingredient list is of little practical use when determining nutritional value.

• Each ingredient, including additives, must be listed in the ingredients statement.

• Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. However, this does not reveal the amounts of the ingredients. For example, wheat germ meal, wheat bran, and wheat flour are all components of wheat, but they may provide different nutrients. The ingredient list can be valuable when a pet has a confirmed food allergy and must avoid certain ingredients.

• AAFCO defines how ingredients are named. For example, according to AAFCO, corn gluten is defined as the part of the commercial, shelled corn after removal of the larger portion of the corn’s starch and germ.

What Do the Percentages on the Label Mean?
AAFCO regulations require pet food manufacturers in the United States to include a guaranteed analysis that lists percentages of certain nutrients on pet food labels. These percentages (i.e., minimum protein and fat; maximum fiber and water) are listed on an “as-fed” basis. That simply means the percentage of each nutrient, including water or moisture, contained in the final product consumed by the pet. 

To compare products on a level playing field, it is necessary to convert the information listed in the guaranteed analysis to a “caloric basis”. When not measured on a caloric basis, canned food appears to have a lower concentration of nutrients than dry food because dry food contains approximately 10 percent water, but canned food contains approximately 75 percent water. Even the comparison of the information in the guaranteed analysis of two products that contain the same amount of moisture can be inaccurate if the products differ in caloric density.

What Are the Chemicals in the Ingredients?
Pet owners may be concerned to see “phylloquinone,” “α-tocopherol,” “cobalamin” and “ascorbic acid” listed on their pets’ food until they learn that these are the technical names for vitamins K 1, E, B 12 and C, respectively. α-Tocopherol is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants are added to foods to balance the nutrient profile and preserve fats. Preservatives are not universally bad for pets and, in fact, help prevent foods from becoming rancid.

What Are the By-Products on the Label?
Many questions about pet food result from a misunderstanding of particular ingredients. Pet owners may incorrectly think that by-products are solely the undesirable parts of animals, such as hooves, feathers and beaks. However, as defined by the pet food industry, meat by-products are clean parts other than meat, such as lungs, kidneys and spleens. Therefore, by-products can be an excellent source of amino acids, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Who Ensures the Quality of Pet Foods?
Several governing agencies have a role in regulating pet food. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over pet foods. The FDA establishes certain labeling regulations for animal food and enforces regulations about contamination. Feed control officials from the state departments of agriculture work with the FDA to inspect facilities and enforce regulations within each state. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines ingredients and has an agreement to work with FDA scientists to ensure the safety of ingredients. Consumers can voluntarily submit reports using the FDA Safety Reporting Portal: www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.

Are Organic or Natural Ingredients Better?
Pet food labels are factual, but they are also used to attract consumers. Terms such as organic and natural, and unregulated terms such as human grade, premium and holistic are of little use when determining nutritional value. As more pet foods are manufactured to meet the demand for organic and natural ingredients, pet owners need to understand these terms. 

AAFCO defines natural as “originating from animals or plants.” AAFCO has no regulatory definition for organic, which refers to the procedure by which organic ingredients are grown, harvested and processed. 

There is no evidence that organic food is more beneficial to animals than nonorganic food. Pet foods that meet the human standard for organic (at least 95 percent of the content by weight, excluding salt and water, must be organic) may display the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal on their packaging. The FDA uses natural to describe food, and organic to describe both the food and the way in which it was processed.

Are the Feeding Guidelines Right for My Pet?
Complete and balanced pet foods must include feeding directions on their labels. However, one set of feeding guidelines cannot account for the great variation in metabolic rates and nutritional needs among individual pets. In addition, breed, temperament, environment and many other factors can influence food intake. Feeding guidelines provide a good starting point but may overestimate the needs of some pets, leading to weight gain. Therefore, pet owners (with guidance from a veterinary professional) may have to adjust the feeding guidelines on a case-by-case basis to achieve a healthy, lean body condition for their pets.

Why Aren’t Calories Listed on All Pet Food Labels?
Caloric content is not included on most pet food labels, but that may be changing. The format of pet food labels was derived from large animal feed packaging, which does not legally require the inclusion of caloric content. AAFCO has voted to mandate the inclusion of caloric content on pet food labels. In January 2013, the rule was approved, and the transition to revised labeling will occur from 2016 to 2017, for full enforcement.

For more information on pet food labels, visit the FDA website:  www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047113.htm. FOLLOW US!

Stray Dogs Show Up at Funeral Home: Attend Funeral of the Woman That Always Fed Them

Margarita Suárez, a humble woman from Mérida, Mexico, did not run a shelter or work with a registered animal organization.  She was not rich and only earned enough money to get by, however, she never hesitated to help animals in need. Suarez fed over 20 stray cats that came to her door every morning, and whenever she went out, she carried food to feed the stray dogs she met on the streets.

At the beginning of March, Suarez relocated to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for health reasons. There, she continued to feed and look after the homeless animals in her community. Sadly, Suarez’s health took a turn for the worse and she passed away. Family, friends and stray dogs attended her funeral.

Patricia Urrutia, Suarez’s daughter, said that on March 15, 2015, stray dogs started arriving at the funeral home early in the morning. At first she thought they were area dogs welcomed at the funeral home, but then she noticed the animals were entering the room where her mother’s body was resting. Urrutia asked workers if they knew the dogs and everyone said they had never seen them before.

When Suarez’s body was moved to the church, the dogs followed behind the funeral car, and when the body returned to the funeral home, so did the dogs.

Urrutia believes the stray dogs were some of the pets her mother fed and they came to show their respect. The dogs were respectful and some even played with funeral attendees. The pets only left once Suarez’s body was prepared for cremation.

Family members cannot explain how the dogs knew where they could find Suarez, but they were happy to see the dogs Suarez cared so much for, also loved her.

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Washington, DC - Meet Mayni and Muniri, The Two Andean Bear Cubs at the National Zoo

On Thursday morning as zoo officials announced the bears’ names, they played in their yard. The zoo said in a Twitter message that they “just heard their first helicopter fly overhead and headed to Mom for comfort.”

After the public voted, the two Andean bear cubs were named, Mayni and Muniri

Mayni is a moniker that means “unique” in the Aymara language. Muniri means “loving” in the Quechua language. The names are meant to reflect the cultural significance of the indigenous peoples of the Andes region, to which the bears are native.

The 19-week-old cubs will go on display to the public, at 10:00 a.m.,  Saturday, Marcg 28th, weather permitting. The brother bears were much celebrated when they were born in November.

Telling the two black balls of fur apart is a bit tough, but zoo officials said the two cubs have distinctive facial markings. Muniri has a slightly longer light brown line in between his eyes; Mayni does not have such a pronounced line.

They definitely have different personalities. Zoo officials have said Mayni is a bit more rambunctious and “seems to need Mom’s attention a bit more than his brother.” His brother, Muniri, is described as playful and “likes to wrestle but is more laid back.”

Zoo officials said that now that the bears have been named, it will help staff members as they teach them certain behaviors like opening their mouth, showing their paws, getting up on a bench and lying down. These learned behaviors are necessary, zoo officials said, to help staff give them vaccinations and care for their health.

The cubs are trained one-on-one, and zoo keepers will call the cubs by their respective names into different enclosures, officials said. Every time a bear does one of its new, learned behaviors, the keepers will use positive reinforcement and call them by name. And they’ll get a treat — either grapes or peanuts, which are their favorites.




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Animal Rescuing Really Does Work: Look At These Before And After Pictures of Rescued Cats

A pet cat will bring love and joy into any home that accepts them with open arms and hearts, but that love gains a special meaning when the cat is a rescue from the streets.

Many of these adopted cats have been saved from the brink of death. If you're considering getting a cat, we hope that this list will convince you to to adopt. They need your love!

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David McCandless' New Book Knowledge is Beautiful, Ranks 87 Dog Breeds

This chart is from, from David McCandless' fascinating new book Knowledge is Beautiful, ranks 87 dog breeds and compares those rankings to the actual popularity of the breeds in the US.

The ranking is based on a number of factors: trainability, life expectancy, lifetime cost (including the price of food and grooming), and suitability for children, among others.

The result: Border Collies, according to McCandless, are the finest dog breed in existence. Labs, Beagles, and Golden Retrievers, while not at the very top, are other popular dogs (at the top right of the chart) that he rates highly.

On the other hand, the formula seems to penalize big dogs. German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Saint Bernards, all in the top left quadrant, are in McCandless' words, "inexplicably overrated." The formula also uncovers some overlooked breeds, at the bottom right, that should be more popular, like Border Terriers and Pointers.

Finally, on the bottom left, the chart shows the breeds that are unpopular and properly so: Old English Sheepdogs, Borzois, and Afghan Hounds.

To view larger image click here: Dog Chart

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California Family Believes 'Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone', Purchased from Walmart, Killed Their Dog

A family from Vista, California, believes that their dog died after eating a Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone' that they purchased at Walmart.

It seems that this family is not the only ones full of anger and anguish over Dynamic Pet's Real Ham Bone.

Lily Reed, who is an eighth grader, could not help but break down when talking about the unexpected loss of her furry friend, Fred.

Fred was the family's nine-year-old basset hound, and they had to put him down on Monday.

Lily held onto his toys to feel a little closer.

"I don't know," Lily said through tears. "I just want to remember him."

Fred's owner, Victor Paulson, already misses their guy time.

"He would lay on me and he would love to just lay there in my recliner and just fall asleep," Paulson said.

Paulson still has the bone he believes killed his dog. They bought the Real Ham Bone by Dynamic Pet Products from Walmart. Paulson said they were all in the room when Fred enjoyed it for an hour.

However, the next day was a horrific one.

"There was vomit and diarrhea, and he was lying in a puddle of his own blood," Paulson explained.

Fred was in such bad shape when they took him to California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad that the family said their good byes, and put him down.

The veterinarians told 10News they did not have a definitive answer about what made Fred ill because the family could not afford to run the tests.

The family seems certain the bone broke apart and ripped apart Fred's insides.

"It couldn't have been anything else," Lily said. "It just couldn't have."

The warning on the Real Ham Bone is more detailed than most. It says:
"Supervise your pet while enjoying any natural bone product. Bone is to be chewed over several sittings, not eaten. Always provide a fresh supply of water to pet. Not recommended for dogs with digestive problems or aggressive chewers. Remove bone immediately if splintering occurs or small fragments break off. Recommended size is slightly larger than your pets mouth. Pet owner assumes liability associated with the use of this or any natural bone product."

10News found dozens, if not hundreds, of comments online with a similar story. Owners gave their dog a ham bone, often the same brand, and the dog started vomiting. Some dogs had surgery, while others died, according to some of the online comments.

10News reached out to Dynamic Pet Products, and they issued this statement:
ST. LOUIS, March 4, 2015 – Dave Frick, President, Dynamic Pet Products, released the following statement today in response to the complaint filed by a consumer regarding Real Ham Bone for Dogs.

"At Dynamic Pet Products, our goal is to offer the best pet products to owners and their dogs. We are saddened to learn of the illness of any of our customers' pets.

Dynamic Pet Products has been producing 100% Human food grade bones approved by the FDA since 2001, including the Real Ham Bone for Dogs. The quality of our products and the safety of the pets that enjoy our products are our top priorities. That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products. We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks. We will continue to provide quality, safe products to our customers."

On a Consumer Affairs web page, the product ranked one of five stars.

The Food and Drug Administration says bones are unsafe across the board. They say problems range from broken teeth to blocking the windpipe, and bone chards can poke holes in the stomach or intestines.

Giving your dog a bone can result in a vet visit, surgery or death. Read more here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm208365.htm

Walmart told 10News: "We did reach out to the manufacturer and they are aware of this situation and had been in touch with the customer."

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Cat Walks Into New York Police Department: Has Not Been Claimed, Available for Adoption

 Manhattan, NY - Police are trying to locate the owner of a white and gray cat that strolled into the 34th Precinct, Washington Heights, on Monday.

“This cat walked into the 34 Pct today. Officer Andrea DiNella would like to know if anyone is missing him #uptown,” the precinct tweeted.

DiNella told NBC 4 New York Tuesday, "He looks like he came from someone's house. He was very clean, his paws were not long, he had a great disposition, didn't bite. Very friendly."

DiNella named the cat Frankie, who's believed to be about 10 months old. When no one claimed him, she brought him to Regina Galente, who runs local rescue group Adore-a-Bullie Paws and Claws https://www.facebook.com/adoreabullie.

After his short stint in custody, Frankie's new friends in blue were sad to say goodbye.
"Everybody loved him. We didn't want to see him go," said DiNella.

Adore-a-Bullie Paws and Claws:

This is Frankie! He was in lock up at a police pct in the Bronx today! He is a 10th old male kitty that needs a home! The police released him to our custody and he has been ordered to find a home. He will be fully vetted and up for adoption by Tuesday of next week. He is super sweet and lots of fun! Please help Frankie stay out of jail by applying for him today!

To apply to adopt Frankie, click here: FRANKIE

Website: Adore-a-Bullie Paws and Claws

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Reverse Sneezing and Gagging in Dogs

Sneezing refers to the normal behavior of expelling air to remove matter through the nasal cavity. Reverse sneezing, on the other hand, refers to the reflex of bringing air into the body to remove irritants in the upper area that lies behind the nostrils. Dogs may gag to remove irritants from the larynx; this is commonly misinterpreted as vomiting.

Symptoms and Types

Sneezing is often accompanied by a sudden movement of the head downwards, with a closed mouth, and may cause the dog's nose to hit the ground. Reverse sneezing is often characterized by a backwards head motion, a closed mouth and lips sucking in. Gagging usually causes the dog to swallow after extending its neck and opening its mouth. Read more about dog sneezing episodes, and how they could impact your dog's health, using the PetMD Symptom Checker.

Causes
 Any breed of dog can be affected by these medical behaviors. The most common causes for younger dogs include infections, the existence of a cleft palate, or bronchial infections. Another primary cause is the involuntary movement of the hairlike cilia that line the respiratory tract and act to remove foreign matter from the air before it reaches the lungs. This involuntary movement of the hair is medically termed ciliary dyskinesis. The most common causes for older dogs include nasal tumors and dental diseases. Other causes can be mucus irritation, nasal passage obstruction, inflammation, excess nasal discharge or secretion, pneumonia, chronic vomiting, and gastrointestinal disease. Under vaccinated or unvaccinated dogs are at a higher risk of developing infections, which may lead to consistent sneezing. Chronic dental disease can lead to both chronic sneezing and reverse sneezing. Mites found in the nasal openings can also be a cause for any of these physical reflexes.

Diagnosis
 The first method of diagnosis is to distinguish between sneezing and reverse sneezing in the dog. Next, if the condition is serious, more in depth testing may be performed to see if there is a more serious underlying medical condition.

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Hundreds of People Donate More Than $16,000 Save 'Bruce Almighty,' Cat Found Bound in Tape

The story of an abused cat dubbed "Bruce Almighty" has led hundreds of people to donate more than $16,000 in hopes the animal can be saved.

The black-and-white cat had its legs and paws bound by electrical tape that cut off blood flow and led to tissue loss, according to the Facebook page of the Regina Humane Society in Saskatchewan, Canada .

The injured animal "collapsed into the arms" of officers after he was rescued last Wednesday, and then "purred" as they extracted the tape from the cat's injured legs, the society said on Facebook.

"The pain and suffering he has endured is unimaginable" Senior Animal Protection Officer B. Lerat said in a statement. "He is fortunate that a caring member of the public alerted us to his whereabouts. The public really is our eyes and ears when it comes to reporting cases of neglect and abuse involving animals."

Lisa Koch, executive director of the Regina Humane Society, said the rescue officers were amazed that the cat was able to survive with his injuries.

“[The officer] said it was almost like he knew he could quit fighting because he knew we were going to fight for him,” Koch said of Bruce during his rescue.

Koch said she was amazed that an online fundraising page for Bruce has been able to raise more than $16,000.

Unfortunately, Bruce had to have most of his toes removed because of necrotic tissue, but the vets at the Regina Humane Society are hoping the animal will be able to keep all of his legs.

"In the coming days, the focus will remain on wound care to reduce the likelihood of infection and ensuring he is comfortable as he works to heal," read a statement from the Regina Humane Society. "On behalf of Bruce Almighty we’d like to share our thanks for the incredible outpouring of support."

Anyone who knows anything about the case is encouraged to called the Humane Society’s Animal Protection Services at 306-777-7700.

Update: March 23, 2015

Regina Humane Society (RHS) Veterinarians removed Bruce Almighty’s bandages and re-assessed the damage caused by the electrical tape that was tightly wrapped around his legs and paws. As a result, a total of eight necrotic toes were removed (four from each of his front paws). As Bruce Almighty is a polydactyl (he has an extra toe on each front paw), he is left with two toes on each of his front legs. The veterinary team is now working in consultation with the specialists at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on his treatment plan. At this point we are hopeful he will be able to keep all four legs but the risk of amputation remains. In the coming days, the focus will remain on wound care to reduce the likelihood of infection and ensuring he is comfortable as he works to heal. On behalf of Bruce Almighty we’d like to share our thanks for the incredible outpouring of support. We ask that anyone who has information about this case to contact our Animal Protection team.

Website: Regina Humane Society

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The Difference Between Stray and Feral Cats

The most common misconception with strays and feral cats is that they are “wild” animals. Feral and stray cats are both domestic animals, although stray cats are socialized to be near people and are typically the product of abandonment or getting lost and separated from their homes. Feral cats are cats that have had little to no contact with humans and act accordingly. They have strong family bonds and live in tight groups called colonies.

Cats become socialized when they interact with people and are held, spoken to, and played with from an early age. Since feral cats don’t get this interaction  feral cats have a natural aversion to humans and more often than not they cannot adjust to living anywhere but outdoors.

As for stray cats, over time they can become more wild as their contact with humans dwindle. But unlike a cat who was born into the feral lifestyle, stray cats have the ability to become house pets once again. By slowly re-introducing them to your home after living outdoors it may take awhile for them to acclimate, especially when they have been away from humans for a long enough period of time.

Despite the difference in social interaction, both types of cats live in a generally harsh environment. They have to hunt for food and shelter, or depend on the kindness of strangers. You don’t have to bring a cat into your home to protect it either! Building shelters, or making areas they stay more comfortable with blankets and food can make a world of difference. You can also look up shelters in your area to find ones that will offer Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services to keep the population down.

It is important to know how to identify what type of cats you may see around you. Strays are much more likely to come to humans and can be easier to take to shelters or adopt. Feral cats should not be approached however, and should be handled by professional caregivers.  Here is a guideline that can help you decipher what type of cat you’re dealing with:

To find out more about handling and helping stray and feral cats in your area, go to The Humane Society’s website.

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Photo of a Normal Size Cat Destroying Dollhouse Goes Viral

A giant-looking cat coming down the stairs of a house and biting at the chandelier is going viral on Reddit and Imgur.

Some users are nicknaming the cat "Kat Kong," while others are joking the cat is trying to "swing from the chandelier," a reference to the hit pop song “Chandelier” by Sia.

But the cat, as disappointing as it may be to some, is actually a normal-sized cat in a dollhouse.

The photo was part of a photo-shoot to create an advertisement to help get fostered kittens a permanent home, Cade Ritter, who took the photo, told ABC News today in an email. Ritter is a computer science student at Rice University in Houston.

Ritter, 18, said he took the photo at his Austin, Texas, home a few years ago when his family fostered a litter of five kittens with the help of animal shelter Austin Pets Alive.

"As people started adopting them, my mom thought it would be a good advertisement for the remaining kittens to have a little photo-shoot," Ritter said of mom Barbara Atwell, an Austin-based artist.

One of the backdrops Ritter and his mom decided to use was a hand-crafted dollhouse Ritter's great-grandfather made, he said. The dollhouse is the one seen in the viral photo, he added.

"It's quite the amazing piece of carpentry," Ritter said. "It even has a working light system.”

The kitten, whose name Ritter couldn’t remember, was the wildest of the litter, he said, adding it was eventually adopted. He kept one from the bunch, whom he named Sophie.

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A New Bill Introduced in the Nevada State Legislature Earlier this Week Would Allow Owners to Give their Ailing Pets Medical Marijuana, What Are Your Thoughts?

A new bill introduced in the Nevada state legislature earlier this week would allow owners to give their ailing pets medical marijuana. Many owners across the country said it’s about time, and that “pot for pets” should be legal everywhere.

Under this bill pets in that state may soon be able to use marijuana.

Democratic State Senator, Tick Segerblom sponsored the new law to allow animal owners to give their pets marijuana if a veterinarian verifies the animal is sick and the drug could alleviate its sickness.

Becky Flowers, a California ranch owner, said she gave her mare Phoenix regular doses of medical marijuana for several years to help ease the pain of a degenerative joint condition. The horse could barely walk due to extreme swelling in her front legs that traditional and herbal medications didn’t seem to help, Flowers said.

The Senator said he has concerns about whether animals could have a negative reaction to the pot.

The proposal is part of a larger bill that would make changes to the state’s medicinal marijuana law, removing penalties for drivers who have marijuana in their blood and adding regulations for training in pot shops.

The bill is in the first stage of the legislative process and faces many hurdles before pets in Nevada will legally be allowed to toke up with their owners.

In this May 30, 2013, file photo, Companion Cannabis, by Holistic Therapeutics, a Marijuana medicinal tincture for dogs and cats is displayed at La Brea Compassionate Caregivers, a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles. Pets might soon be able to use pot under a bill introduced Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in the Nevada Legislature. Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom is sponsoring the measure that would allow animal owners to get marijuana for their pet if a veterinarian certifies the animal has an illness that might be alleviated by the drug.

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Bronze Star Veteran Adopts His New Four-Legged Battle Buddy:Through Pets for Patriots

After three combat tours in Iraq, a Bronze Star Army veteran becomes a hero of a different stripe: to an adult dog who would become his new battle buddy as he transitioned to civilian life.

Inspired to service by Vietnam War POW
During nearly a decade of service, Chris traveled the world. Originally from Oklahoma, the young Army veteran started his military career at Fort Carson, Colorado with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 4th Infantry Division (ID). Over the years he would deploy to the Middle East,  and serve in more than a dozen countries around the globe before finishing his career stateside.

“I completed three combat deployments to Iraq with the 4th ID,” Chris says, “and became a Bronze Star recipient in 2008.”

Chris saw the world while serving in the Army, but the inspiration to serve came from a place much closer to his home – and his heart.

“My grandfather was a Vietnam veteran and POW (Prisoner of War),” Chris says. “He was one of the smartest men I knew, my best friend and my hero, so naturally I wanted to follow his footsteps.”

In July 2011, Chris accepted a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) in Tampa, Florida, where he finished his military career by working in Protective Services for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

Pizza, pepperoni and pals
There is little doubt that Chris’ years of service, including three combat tours to Iraq, provided many memorable experiences. Despite enduring the brutality of war, the Army veteran chooses to remember a more comical moment of his nearly ten-year military career.

Chris and three coworkers were passing through Istanbul, Turkey. Their flight was not until the following morning, so they stayed overnight in the city at a hotel within the government rates. The brochure made the hotel look appealing enough, but that was where the appeal ended.

“Once we arrived we thought it was Halloween because this place was dark, creepy, and I was ready for a ghoul to jump out at me,” Chris recalls. “The rooms were unbelievably small, I didn’t have a toilet seat, and my friend Brian’s room didn’t have electricity!”
Undaunted, the foursome walked down the street to a local Domino’s pizza for a small taste of home. Not surprisingly, none of the employees spoke English, so Chris simply pointed to a picture of a pepperoni pizza on the menu.

“Sure enough, they were pepperoni…with mushrooms and corn!” he says. “We did our best to not complain, and ate since we were starving.”

In the end, the Army veteran admits the pizza was not too bad, despite the “unorthodox toppings.”

“We went back to our hotel and tried to get some sleep,” Chris says, “with our shoes on. We still laugh to this day about that pizza and hotel.”

In for a cat, out with a dog
Now separated from service, Chris lives in Florida and is often home alone. He longs for companionship, especially since his girlfriend Veronica lives and works in Colorado as a registered nurse, and he no longer travels for his job.

“I have always wanted my own dog,” Chris says. “Growing up, we always had cats. And living alone here in Florida and my constant traveling for work made it very difficult for me to consider adopting.”

One day when Veronica was in town for a visit, the couple decided to go to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, just to “browse.”

“Originally, we were planning on getting a cat,” says Chris, “but when we passed through the kennel with the small dogs, we absolutely fell in love with Darla when she yelped at us to come see her. She was adorable and was very distressed about being in there. I set up a meet with her in their yard and she was extremely affectionate and friendly. We knew just then that we were going to take her home.”

At the time, Darla was a five year-old Pug and Beagle mix, often called a Puggle. She was surrendered by her previous family because they were unable to support her financially.

“Darla is such a great dog,” Chris says. “It makes me happy that they gave her to a no-kill shelter, rather than just abandoning her on the streets. I am extremely grateful I had the courage to adopt her.”

Chris noted that Darla was very well trained, and he “hopes for the best” for her previous family.

While at the shelter, the Army veteran learned about their partnership with Pets for Patriots, which helps veterans and military personnel adopt adult and special needs pets, and large breed dogs – and provides a range of benefits to make pet parenthood more affordable on an ongoing basis.

“I immediately applied that same day,” he says. “It is a great program and I encourage all veterans to consider using Pets for Patriots. Not only do you receive a few helpful benefits from the program, but when you adopt from a shelter, you are saving a life!”

Bronze Star veteran and his battle buddy
“Living alone can be very boring, and at times can really make stressful times even worse,” Chris shares, “since no one is around to talk to, or help me keep my mind distracted.”

Life is no longer lonely or boring for the Bronze Star veteran.

“Knowing Darla is at home waiting for me to walk through that door is exciting for me. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone for twenty minutes or four hours,” he says. “She always greets me as if she hasn’t seen me in years!”

Like many veterans, Chris misses the camaraderie and closeness of his fellow soldiers, but Darla has become something of a four-legged battle buddy for the decorated veteran. For her part, the little dog has taken well to her new life, including ditching her own bed to sleep under the blankets with Chris.

“She refuses to sleep in her own bed,” he says. “It’s very funny to see her jump on the bed and use her nose to push the blankets over her so she can burrow underneath. Even if I make her sleep in her own bed, she will somehow jump up on my own bed without me knowing, and sneak under the covers.”

Soon Darla may have to share the covers with Veronica, since she and Chris are moving soon to Denver so that they can finally all be together. Once there, Chris will pursue a new challenge in the civilian world.

“My passion is snowboarding and shooting guns,” Chris says.  “And I hope to one day open my own bar and grill.”

Whatever the young Army veteran decides to do, Darla will have his back.

“The loyalty and affection she gives me can make any day so much better,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how mad, irritated or stressed out I am, because once I walk through that door she makes everything go away and helps me to relax. She helps me keep my head up.”

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Are There Dangers In Keeping Pet Rats?

There are very few dangers of keeping pet rats, but only if those rats are domesticated and kept in cages. Rats that have ever been wild may carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to humans. When the animals have never lived in the wild, the dangers of getting a disease from them are nearly eradicated. Even so, humans should not handle rodents that may have a disease if there is any risk of transmission.

While rats can carry many different diseases, ones kept as pet very rarely have any way of catching them. Diseases may be spread through bites and scratches and occasionally through contact on the skin. It is possible for a rat to carry a disease that is hazardous to humans without showing any symptoms, making it difficult to judge whether the animal is safe to handle. The best way for a pet owner to avoid getting sick is to keep his rats healthy and clean.

Rats that run around freely in a house are much more dangerous than those kept in cages. Diseases can be carried by rat urine and feces, which rats often drop wherever they walk. Also, because rats can get urine and feces on their feet, it is possible for a person to get sick from handling one and touching her face or food without washing her hands.

Other than diseases, the dangers of keeping pet rats are similar to those of keeping other pets. Rats can bite or scratch, and they can be aggressive if handled or raised improperly. Most are relatively small, meaning that the capacity of a rat to injure a human is likely less than that of a dog. Even so, bites can be painful and can get seriously infected, so it is not a good idea to touch or handle a rat unless it is familiar.

Most concerns over the dangers of keeping rats as pets are related to the history of wild rats spreading disease, not to domesticated rats. Not only are domesticated ones unlikely to spread diseases, but their diet and natural behaviors might even make them safer than animals like cats and dogs. Even so, a rat that looks sick or that has been out in the wild for any period of time should be inspected by a veterinarian. When they do spread diseases, those diseases have a tendency to be serious and are not always easy to diagnose because they are often rare.



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