Interbred dogs.

Recently and more frequently I have been introduced to bizarre and baffling diseases that animals have that are coming into the store. People have been telling me that their carnivors cannot eat meat..that they are unable to take stairs or run or wear a collar for fear of choking.
With a perplexed mindset I started looking up the major factors to why there is such a problem with animals bred for the "doggy set".
I admit that I had and have my own suspicions with so many years of dog and cat connections but I was enlightened beyond what I expected.
To sum it up in a nutshell.....and without fear of making an overly broad statement I have to come to the conclusion that we have, in the past 100 years, overbred certain "pedigreed" dogs to the point that they have unusual and debilitating physical problems.
Recently it was passed in the UK that breeding standards were to be changed after pressure from the BBC which broadcasts the major dog showing there.
The BBC pulled out of the dog show after it was embroiled in the row over the welfare of pedigree dogs, leaving the event untelevised for the first time in 40 years.
Pedigree Dogs Exposed, a BBC1 documentary last year, claimed some of the Kennel Club's standards were effectively encouraging dog owners to breed ill-health into their pets.

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It revealed that decades of inbreeding has caused epilepsy and cancer among some entrants at the event, described by a leading vet as showcasing "a parade of mutants".
The corporation subsequently suspended coverage of the Crufts dog show in 2009 after The Kennel Club refused to comply with the BBC's demands that 14 'at risk' breeds be excluded from the competition.
Crufts attracted 150,000 visitors last year and an average of three million television viewers each day.
The Kennel Club has now said it will change the standards – the ideal which show dogs must try and match - to ensure that all dogs are "fit for their original function". It will also ban the breeding of close relatives.
There are a number of breed specific amendments, for 78 breeds.
They have been revised so that they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely.
Under the "strict new rules", the standard for Shar Pei dogs will no longer include exaggerated folds of loose skin across its neck, skull and legs and breeders must stop encouraging "excessive weight" in Labradors.
Owners of Clumber Spaniels will be banned from "exaggerating substance" – the size of a dog's body and muscle – so that they would be fit for their original purpose of working in the field.
Marc Abraham, Kennel Club veterinary advisor, said: "The changes that have been announced today will leave breeders and judges in no doubt about their responsibilities to safeguard the health and welfare of dogs, first and foremost."
The Kennel Club denied suggestions that the new guidelines were bought in as a result of the BBC decision to suspend coverage of Crufts.
The Kennel Club is tied into a contract with the BBC until 2010, meaning it cannot offer the rights to a rival broadcaster. The BBC pays an annual six-figure sum to the Kennel Club for the television rights and could face a legal battle if it decides to suspend payment for the coming year.
Concerns raised by the documentary have already led to the withdrawal of Pedigree, the main sponsor, and the RSPCA. The animal charity welcomed the BBC's decision, describing current breed standards as "morally unjustifiable".
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's Chief veterinary adviser, said watching Crufts was "like seeing a parade of mutants".
He said: "Many characteristics which are considered desirable in pedigree dogs – as defined by the breed standards which the Kennel Club promotes – are actually shocking deformities which affect the welfare and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of dogs.
"There are now recognised to be more than 450 inherited diseases suffered by pedigree dogs and we believe the intentional breeding of deformed dogs and close inbreeding is morally unjustifiable and must stop."
Kennel Club spokesman Caroline Kisko said: "We said in the autumn that a new review standards would be bought out, long before the BBC pulled out of Crufts. As far as we're concerned, we're looking for different broadcasters. We're currently under BBC contract, whether they choose to broadcast for the next year or not."
The revised standards will be used to judge dogs in Crufts 2009.
A BBC spokesman said Crufts would not be shown in March. He added: "We remain open to the idea that Crufts will return to the BBC and this is an interesting development."

Here in Canada we are not too far behind the ill breeding of pets but for a slightly different reason. Traditionally, dogs were bred to do certain tasks and bred into those dogs were physical traits that warranted doing the work asked of it. Here in North America primarily we are seeing physical traits of dogs that are only useful for simple esthetics. Super small dogs called teacup this and teacup that and superfat, long eared breeds that would certainly not be able to attack any task asked of them. The excellent nose on certain hounds are only as good as the short time it takes for the overly fat and loose skinned dog to become too tired to continue. Overheating on dogs unable to breathe through the folds of their nasal cavities simply because someone thought the face should be flatter is beyond comprehension!
Because dogs in the UK have often been bred in pedigreed kennels from Mother to Son and sibling to sibling bad traits are often exaggerated.
Here it seems to be an uneducated eye (read backyard breeder) that "tries" breeding a separate lineage into a family and finds unwanted results and therefor not truly "pedigreed" dogs being sold for serious dollars.
Interestingly enough.......the mixed breeds (NOT the designer dogs..ie:puggle,everything-doodle, etc) are living healthier lives because the right genes are taking up the stand and creating less health related problems.....yay!
Now.......I loves me all kinda dogs....whether mixed breeds or so called pure breeds...I just want to see them live for a loooong time without pain, health problems or chronic digestive issues.
Be careful what you ask for!
WOOF!!!

Dog life jackets.

Last year I was told a GREAT story from a family that was purchasing a life jacket for their dog.
The dog being a pug was in sorry shape for cutting through the water being the dense body type it was.....and no don't send me emails saying "all dogs can swim and pugs are great swimmers". I know all dogs CAN swim but some are better at it than others and some are actually really poor swimmers in the water.....pugs, boston terriers, boxers....bulldogs are bricks in the water!!
So, the story goes that a gentleman and his dog head off from Horseshoe Bay here near Vancouver to their home on Bowen Island in their sailboat. This was a crossing that the well seasoned boater had made several times with his dog and was well known by the locals both on Bowen and at Horseshoe bay. He was and is a good boater and a sensible one who with some foresight put a lifejacket on his Labradore Retriever (GREAT swimmers). Heading west to Bowen the boat listed enough that with a silent splash unloaded a probably relaxed dog from the deck into the water. The boat carried on and one can only assume that the boater was either below for a moment or looking the other way. The dog finding itself closer to the dock at Horseshoe Bay headed that way.
As the boat came into harbour the baiter received a call on his cell "hey did you lose anything?"
"Ummmm no...did I leave the fenders down?" A typical jab at boaters from other salty dogs is the fender jab.....never leave the floats flopping along in the water while sailing...very lazy and tacky.
"Yeah, nooo yer dog just swam, barely back up to the deck here and is having a snack" said the caller. "We watched him swim from far off in the distance thinking it was a seal and saw him exhaustedly just float the last quarter mile in"
Needless to say the owner of the dog was surprised and embarrassed but happy that the dog was indeed safe and only due to the bouyancy of the floatation device did the dog survive.
Yes, dogs are great swimmers but like any animal not born to the water heat loss, exhaustion and disorientation are all factors in an easy trip to the bottom. This Lab had all but stopped moving and the wash from the ferry had pushed it the last bit towards the shore while the lifejacket kept its head above the water line.
The best part of the story is, of course, the dog lived and indeed I had sold the lifejacket to the dog's owner not 3 weeks before the event. I knew who they were talking about and let them spill the story. Admittedly each time I hear it the tale gets a bit more heroic but in the end the equipment worked!
Super WOOF!!!

Easter Eggs on Granville Island.

Woofles and Meowz is simply the coolest train caboose converted into one of Vancouver's first Pet bakery. Things have changed in the past few years as it was first opened as a Pet Deli that sold raw food for dogs and cats waaaaay ahead of the trend. Later it stocked toys and treats baked right here in the caboose and since I have bought it I have packed it with equipment, toys, treats, gifts and products for both cats and dogs. I love that we sell items for both cats and dogs as I sometimes think with all the purse doggies purchased in the past few years that retailers have forsaken our feline friends....not so here!
This morning another animal was busy at Granville Island and especially around the Kids Only Market and that was the EASTER BUNNY!!
As I left the parking garage to head to work I noticed a whole slew of easter eggs all over the island tucked into nooks and crooks. It was the most charming sight and one sorely needed on this very rainy day!
I could not help but open up one of these colorful toys so see that there was a wee sticker and a cute saying inside.
Whomever did the work for this project I have to say a BIG THANK YOU!!!! It was the sweetest thing and watching the young'ins laughing up a storm while searching for them was wonderful!

Happy Easter everybody from Woofles and Meowz.

Dog bakery..Pet bakery....its all good!

Theres NEW things baking at Woofles and Meowz here on Granville Island. Now that we are the closest bakery for the Kitsilano crowd we have decided to expand our already great organic baked goods line to include...Birthday Bones that say "Happy Barkday" and given enough time...usually an hour or so...we can put the doggy's name on it as well. As we use only organic ingredients we like to use a yogurt and cacao mixture to write with instead of the potato mixture some others are using.
mmmmmmmmmmmmm Dog bakery at its finest!

Dog and cat treat safety.

One of the things we take very seriously here in Vancouver is our health...at least for the most part we are not using bacon fat for buttering the toast as was the habit of certain relatives of mine while growing up on the prairies. (try it sometime though..mmmmmm baconnnnnn ughgughguhgughgu....)
Our healthy eating habits usually extends to our pets which is why our organic treats are so popular for both Dogs and Cats.
We do go a wee bit overboard sometimes when I am sourcing organic lamb meat from Granville Island for some biscuits or wild salmon from the local docks. I know.....crazy but in a good way I hope.
Lately I have been asked two big questions with regard to our treats and that is..."what is Melamine" and "is the peanut butter safe".
Firstly lets look at what Melamine is:
Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a synthetic polymer which is fire resistant and heat tolerant. Melamine resin is a very versatile material with a highly stable structure. Uses for melamine include whiteboards, floor tiles, kitchenware, fire retardant fabrics, and commercial filters. Melamine can be easily molded while warm, but will set into a fixed form. This property makes it ideally suited to certain industrial applications.
Melamine resin is manufactured by mixing urea with formaldehyde under heat and pressure. The substances begin to polymerize and are forced into a mold which will create the desired shape. Under pressure, melamine releases water, which could make the plastic unstable if it is not removed. The materials finish polymerizing and create a finished product, melamine resin.
Melamine resin is known as a thermoset plastic, because the plastic is fixed after molding. If exposed to enough heat, melamine will melt. For this reason, melamine dishware should not be exposed to high temperatures like those in the oven and microwave. However, the plastic is able to withstand higher temperatures than other plastics. Because it is a thermoset plastic, melamine resin is difficult to recycle.
Melamine can be made into a foam product. Melamine foam has a distinctive structure composed of stacked bubble shapes, which are extremely hard and therefore can easily clean a wide variety of substances. Melamine foam is marketed under a variety of commercial names including Magic Eraser, a cleaning tool well known for removing scuffs and dirt from a wide range of surfaces.
Melamine resin is used in Formica and similar construction products made from composite materials. Formica is made using melamine resin, which is used to coat the fibers in the upper layer of the construction product. The melamine resin makes the end result heat resistant, so that hot objects can be set on the counter without concern. The surface of the material is designed to be easily wiped and cleaned, creating a long lived household product.
Melamine also plays a role in a wide range of flame resistant materials. These include textiles used in upholstery and the uniforms worn by firemen. Thermal liners, heat resistant gloves, and aprons to protect from splashback of hot substances are made using melamine. Melamine will protect a wearer from heat hazards, and will help to resist the spread of fire in aircraft and buses by providing a fire blocker.
Melamine is also used in the manufacture of some filters. The material is porous and will admit substances to pass through, but can be used to filter out particles of a particular size. Melamine filters are capable of handling a high capacity and can be used in hot environments due to the heat resistance of it. Melamine filters are also extremely efficient.
Aside from common commercial uses, melamine became a topic of much discussion in early 2007, when veterinary scientists determined it to be the cause of hundreds of pet deaths, because of pet food contamination. Prior to these reports, melamine had been regarded as non-toxic or minimally toxic. However, because of the unexplained presence of melamine in wheat gluten added to mass-produced dog and cat foods, it is the most likely cause. Pet owners report symptoms that are commonly associated with renal failure, which could be explained by the ammonia that may result from the digestion of the melamine.
Now...these were only manufacturers from China. We never did or ever will import food items from China mainly because we exercise due diligence in examining the sales and manufacturing sheets that accompany toys to keep certain materials away from our store..... but as we all know now with the FURTHER travesty of Chinese milk products having Melamine fillers in them it is almost impossible to comfirm quality of Chinese products.
Yeh, yeh. I know I will get comments about this but I direct those who do send them to read the obits of the children and unhappy pet owners who have suffered the loss of their pooch. nuff said!
As for the peanut butter scrae that is going on we do not use peanut butter from the plant that is in Georgia as we use a fully Canadian pruduct. I have also called up the supplier and/or manufacturer of any product that has peanut butter in it to confirm that it is not on the recall list.
Just a wee little thing to do for our tail waggin' friends.
I think they are worth it don't you?!?!?
Besides is is just too easy to KNOW what goes into the treats when we make them here right?

...just sayin'.............WOOF!

Stray cat strut......

Here at the store I have found there are three different types of music that work wonders with the sales #s.
There seems to be only a vague common denominator in that they usually have the same BPM or beats per minute and within that, a happy tempo.
The first is Big Band music. Y'know those old band guys were really swingin' cats waaaay before we all figured it out. Even the most junior shopper seems to bop along to a post war tempo and tap their feet to Dorsey, Miller, Basie or Goodman. This music also gets a knowing smile from anyone with a snowy head of hair. "Nice music young man" I have heard more than a few times and the smile I get from being called young man at 42 stays with me until the next blood sugar ebb.
The next is ABBA. Say what you want about the popular foursome from Sweden but there is a continued following that spans a few generations now with the hit Mama Mia catching the ear of the young'ins and the lyrics are almost always lip synched by anyone feeling nostalgia for the 70s.
Its happy music for sure.
The third is a combination of sorts between The Spice Girls and Stray Cats. The two would seem far away in relation except that both appeal to the 30 smething crowd with the Spice girls getting the win from most girls and the nod towards the Stray Cats from the guys. Both these groups give good beat with toe tapping potential.
Pop music gets a bad rap sometimes simply for being popular which would be contraindicated would it not?! Someone has to be listening to this stuff right??
Evertime someone comes into Woofles and Meowz and sings along I think to myself .."yer busted!"....I'm not the only swingin' cat going.