Dear T. Abby,

Why does my cat scratch around his food bowl after eating?
                Sincerely, John





John,
Thanks for the question. You are the first to contribute to "Dear Tabby," a new feature here on shy dog.  Your cat is exhibiting an instinctive behavior - one that he did not learn from his mother or fellow cats. In the wild, cats will bury their feces and their food. This is a safety measure to help keep predators from tracking their location. It is also a way to bury some left overs! Congratulations - your kitty is as brilliant as his predecessors!
                  Yours truly, T.

When elephants retire

They say all dogs go to Heaven, but elephants go to Tennessee!
The Elephant Sanctuary, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, was founded in 1995 and is now the nation's largest natural habitat refuge for endangered elephants (Asian and African). With approximately 2700 semi-wooded acres, elephants get a premier retirement plan that includes medical, spring-fed ponds, heated barns, a lake, and room to roam! The sanctuary had a 10 year timeline that included land allotments, new buildings (solar powered, too), educational center and a "people perimeter" for viewing but not touching. With over 76,000 members and in-kind donations, this place has been able to accommodate 20+ elephants which you can meet here. In addition to the elephants, a few dogs have also been safely rescued and roam the acreage as well.

Elephants have a tendency to pair up into relationships - male/female or two female best friends. In one unique case, an odd pairing has been a national success story and gave the sanctuary a new audience to educate and support their heartfelt work. Meet Tara and Bella, an odd couple that have been best friends for some time - through thick and thin, even a surgical recovery. Bella even lets Tara rub her belly - with her foot! In 2009, CBS filmed an interview about these two amazing friends.



The Elephant Sanctuary would love for you to become a member. There are different levels to accommodate your budget - you can even "Feed an elephant for a day" by choosing one of your choice via their favorite foods. Contact The Elephant Sanctuary for more details including how to become a member, elephant history and read the elephant diaries.

Upcoming Seattle pet events

Gilda's Club - cancer awareness, education, support groups, and social events -  is hosting their annual Gilda's Dog Walk! Service dog and K9 demonstrations, vet booths, food, games, toys and more.

What: Gilda's Dog Walk
Where: Magnuson Park
When: Sunday July 25, 10am-1pm
Cost: $30 per person to register, $10 each additional person
          kids under 12 FREE

1 mile or 3 mile walks available.

• 
  
  • No retractable leashes
  • Leash lengths no longer than 6 feet
  • No female dogs in heat
  • No aggressive dogs
  • Dogs must be on a leash at all times
  • All dogs must be licensed and current on vaccinations
  • 
    

For more information, see the Gilda's Club website or call (206) 709-1400.

Boston terrier and a kitty

Honda's gone to the dogs

Although I don't have the actual "dog edition," I do have a great 2003 Honda Element. If the 2010 dog edition is anywhere close to as great as mine, then I would recommend it hands down.

From my own experience in owning an Element, here's what I've found:
1) It's hose'able! The interior is pretty much all plastic. One big piece from what I can tell. So no pesky seams to worry about leaking through. I've hauled yard debris, fruit trees, brick, soil, and various other things such as dump runs. After each it's very easy to pull up the back seats, sweep, then carefully hose out the rear. Just be cautious of the spare tire compartment and don't hit any electrical (like windows or locks).

2) Seats just won't stain! Coffee, soda, dog vomit, and mud... none have left a mark on my seats. They are made of this stain-resistant fabric that whisks away liquids. An occasional Febreeze when it gets a little "doggy smell" in there, but otherwise they are holding up well.

3) Head room to spare! I'm not very tall myself, but I have security in knowing I could adopt a great dane at any time and he'd have plenty of space to roam around. Speaking of roaming around - I've been able to make quite the doggy palace by putting one back seat up (usually the driver's side to help with visibility), a blanket down, a dog bed, and a travel water bowl. Presto - road trip ready for you and your pooch.

4) Mileage has been decent. I probably average 20 - 22 mpg downtown. On freeway road trips it's gotten up to 28mpg! This is the regular unleaded. I'm too cheap for the higher octane!

5) Maintenance is minimal. Like most Hondas I've owned and hear about, the repair costs are minimal to average. I've put in a few headlight bulbs, a battery, brakes, and sparks. Other than that it's been tires. Elements have a chain timing belt according to my salesman. That means they never need changing which saves $$$ in replacement costs. If you've done that before in your vehicle, you know it's a pricey, labor intensive, repair.

6) Colors! I have bright orange. I love the red. The blue is growing on me. Visibility is amazing - for the driver and to other drivers. There are newer editions with no black plastic fenders. I, myself, prefer the plastic for helping prevent dings and saving me from a scrape in a drive-thru that would've otherwise been a big paint repair.

7) Double side doors are great for dogs of all sizes! The pug thought he was Superman and usually just flew himself in for a "bye bye." But now we have Rolo, a shy dog - the one this blog is named after. Her past  must have included something traumatic re: being put in/pulled out of dark small places. Trying to get her in or out of a car was nearly impossible. The Element's doors open opposite, like french doors on a house, per se. It gives a wide opening leaving the entire back seat floor visible. This helps give Rolo a safe peek inside to know nothing is already in there, ads light, and keeps the door hinge out of her way for an easier jump in.
  >> On the negative side, these doors do cause some frustration if you're parked next to another car in a parking lot. Opening the back door requires the front door to open first. Sometimes it's a bit of a dance to get the driver out of the way, open doors, and leave room for the passenger to exit. I imagine if you had a toddler in a car seat back there it would be troublesome.


Here's what Honda is saying about their 2010 dog edition:

Man's best friend's best friend. Now friendlier than ever.

Dogs agree: The Element is one of the most "pet-friendly" vehicles ever. Now we're taking a good thing and making it even better with the new Dog Friendly Element, a specially designed collection of accessories including a stowable ramp, pet bed, water bowl, electrical fan and more—all created for the safety and comfort of your beloved canine companion and you.

I'm jealous of some of the new features. The fan and ramp especially! Dog Cars has a good review of this vehicle on their web site. And here's Honda's link. 

Upcoming Seattle dog events

 Dog Ownership Basics Workshop
   with trainer Robin Grannell
Saturday, June 26, 2010
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Canine Behavior Center
7551 205th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98053
Fee: $20
*participating in this event will grant you a certificate that allows early entry into their June adoption event



Designer Mutt Match Adoption event
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Noon to 3 pm
Academy of Canine Behavior
4705 240th St. SE, Bothell, WA 98021
Multiple local animal shelters are participating in this event with lots of dogs to meet and experienced volunteers & staff on-site to answer questions to help you find the perfect pup!

Fire hits Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society

On the morning of May 20th a fire destroyed a large section of the Berkley-East Humane Society.

They've lost laundry, offices and the area that housed the cat shelter. Although dogs were spared, fifteen cats did die in the fire. Right now they are without electricity, phone and water. Any dollar donations you can spare are appreciated. Their website includes a button where you can click for instant donations. You can use their temporary phone line to use a credit card over the phone. If you are in the area, or know someone that is, foster homes for both dogs and cats are also appreciated while things are repaired, etc. Without water it's going to be hard to care for and clean the kennels. Volunteers in large numbers will soon be needed as this is going to be a big clean-up/restoration process. 

foster@berkeleyhumane.org

volunteer@berkeleyhumane.org

http://www.berkeleyhumane.org/

(510) 845-7735

BEBHS, 2700 9th St, Berkeley, CA 94710 

Feral cat rescue in British Colombia

RAP society - Richmond Animal Protection Society in Richmond, British Colombia, operates the largest cat rescue in North America. Their program began back in 1989 as a grassroots attempt aimed at aiding feral/street cats that had a high kill rate when taken to typical animal shelters due to their timid personalities. A handful of volunteers took on the task of getting the cats spayed or neutered,  fostering,  socializing, and finding forever homes when they could. In 1999 a generous donor arrived and pushed RAP forward to become what it is today - 6 acres of multiple buildings, enclosed outdoor climbing areas, patios, and even a wishing well! They home over 800 animals; cats and kittens who were abandoned or found on the streets. Tame cats cohabitate, while new arrivals have 6ft tall enclosures to adjust in while personalities are assessed.

(all photos taken from the RAP web site, videos are available on YouTube)

Dr. Phil takes on dogfighting as animal abuse

I unfortunately missed it. Maybe it's better that way since from what I've heard in reviews and comments, it was sickening to watch and disturbing to listen to.

Recently Dr. Phil confronted convicted dog fighter, Rob Rogers, about this "sport" that he claims the dogs choose to participate in; that it's not violence but instead a mere competition he compares to football. I do not condone this activity, nor would I ever deem it a sport. Cock fighting, greyhound racing... to some extent it's all exploiting animals for human gambling recreation. In this case, many dogs are maimed and abused for profit. On the web it's fairly easy to find film footage of dog fighting in which dogs are left with untreated wounds, missing ears, torn lips, etc. Dog fight breeding boosts aggressive traits, leading to more and more pit bull type mixes in shelters that are unadoptable due to behavior issues and their unpredictability.

You can read excerpts from Dr. Phil's website regarding this specific episode here.
Also, Dr. Phil has a blog (doesn't everyone!) where he shares more personal thoughts on the matter.

Sloth Orphanage

Maybe life is as easy as snugging in a towel and munching on green beans all day.
http://www.slothrescue.org/




Meet the sloths from Amphibian Avenger on Vimeo.

Just for fun

Make your own dancing dog show! All you'll need is a photo of your dog and a friend to send it to. Courtesy of Dogtime.com
Dancing Dog

Enter to win one of 20 free Kong gift baskets.  Kong

Rachel Ray would love for you to try her new dog food. Here's a free sample link. Get a free bag in the mail or opt for the $3.50 instant coupon.


shydog loves Halo products (and Ellen!). Here's a link to sign-up for their news and receive a free sample. Did you buy the new USPS postage stamps yet?

Top household poisons for your pets

Remember the Mr.Yuk stickers? Our parents used to pick them up at their favorite pharmacy in sheets of various sized black & green faces. As kids, we were conditioned to see that and stay away - poison! Unfortunately, pets don't much notice these warnings. Matter of fact, some things that are very harmful to them are things they'd love to eat if left unattended.

Here are some common, yet overlooked, pet poisons you may find around the house:

• Medications - human or vet prescribed. Whether it's a vial chewed and contents swallowed, or a curious pet that finds the one pill that fell on the floor. Quantity is not always the issue; type is. Pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol, cold medications, and vitamin D, too.
• Plants - azalea, rhododendron, amaryllis, chrysanthemum, lilies (especially for cats!) can cause stomach troubles or even kidney failure in some pets. 
• Garden products - this includes insecticides, rodenticides, fertilizers, weed killers, and even flea products used incorrectly. If you've watered outdoor plants with a hose/fertilizer attachment,  keep pets off wet patio or sidewalk areas until dry.
• Cleaners/Chemicals - floor cleaners, degreasers, pool & spa maintenance products, bleach and antifreeze are just a few. Keep in mind where you store these items. Some pets are skilled in cupboard opening!
• People foods - chocolate, raisins, grapes, and avocados, onion, macadamia nuts, gum and sugar substitutes like Xylitol.

For a detailed list of plants from that ASPCA, click here for dogs; here for cats.
For a more complete list of people foods, click here.


If you are concerned that your pet has been exposed to something poisonous, chances are you'll have to pay a fee in order to receive help via a toll free hotline. The ASPCA's line is: (888) 426-4435. However, there is a $65 consult fee for this service. For a cheaper alternative, Pet Poison Helpline is an option with a $35 fee at: (800) 213-6680. If you live in the Seattle area, there is Washington Poison Control: (800) 222-1222 which now has a $30 fee for calls about animals.
OR contact the 24hr emergency VCA clinics in your part of town.
Lynwood: (425) 775-7655
West Seattle: (206) 923-3551
Burien: (206) 243-2982

When you call, be sure to have the following on hand for faster support:

• know your pet's breed, age, sex, and approximate weight
• presenting symptoms
• how much they ingested and how long ago
• the product's packaging if possible
• it may also be helpful to save any partially chewed product or vomit in a plastic bag in case the need for further analysis at the vet

Link to this Pet Site

http://www.shydogblog.com

Free Kibble for shelter animals

Just found out about another great site that donates pet food to shelter animals. Quality food, too, like Canidae brand. I've fed their feline formula to my cats for years and definitely noticed a positive difference in their fur. Freekibble.com has a daily trivia question. It doesn't matter if you answer correctly, just participating donates 10 pieces of kibble to one of their partnered shelters! 10 pieces may not sound like a lot, but if you imagine the number of people who could potentially click on this site per day, it adds up. Plus, helping to lower the operations expense in one area of shelter can help spread resources towards other important functions. There's more detail in the site's FAQ section.

Upcoming Seattle area events

Looks like Auburn is where the pets are this month!

May 22
Dog Trot starts at 9:30am. A family friendly 3k or 5k run for you and your dog. This event takes place in connection with Petapalooza happening the same day from 10:00am -4pm. Performances, over 60 vendors, a petting zoo and free giveaways. Don't miss the parade at noon.

Dog Trot has a $20 entry fee. Register at the Parks, Arts & Recreation Office, 910 Ninth Street SE, 98002. Petapalooza is FREE.


Game Farm Park, 3030 R St SE, Auburn. 
Directions available on their web pages.

Washington state takes on the challenge for saving animal lives

The ASPCA began what they refer to as The $100k Challenge - a contest, so to speak, that drives shelters across the nation to spread the word within their communities on saving animal lives through medical care, outreach and adoptions. As of April 2010, 50 organizations have taken on this challenge of saving more animals than they did in 2009 between August and October of this year. First place wins the $100k for their organization; second place is $25k for the best job in community activism. There are of course other details, but what a great incentive to help homeless pets and get them into forever homes - fast!
The list of contestants is large, so I will not post it all, but here's who is representing Washington state so far:

Northwest Organization for Animal Help (NOAH), Stanwood, WA (great place for kitties, in my opinion)
Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society & SPCA, Tacoma, WA
Humane Society for Southwest Washington, Vancouver, WA

I was hoping to see the Seattle Humane Society on the list. Perhaps there is a size requirement issue for them considering the the winner has to save a minimum of 300 dogs, cats, kittens, or puppies in that allotted time. However, Arizona and Utah stepped up to the plate as I expected.


More details as I hear of them!

Help marine mammals in trouble

If you live in West Seattle, or South Puget Sound, there are 2 upcoming classes via Seal Sitters.

SESSION ONE:
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Seattle Aquarium
(1483 Alaskan Way).
This will be an open region-wide training by Kristin Wilkinson, NOAA stranding expert, in hopes of expanding a volunteer base trained to respond to marine mammals on the beach from South Puget Sound to Snohomish County. Learn about marine mammals in your area and how to report and respond to marine mammal strandings. If you are interested in responding to marine mammals in areas outside of West Seattle, we suggest you attend this session. Seal Sitters will be represented at the event and all are welcome to attend.
SESSION TWO:
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010, from 6 – 7:30 pm at the West Seattle Admiral branch of the Seattle Library (2306 42nd Ave SW, West Seattle). This session will be a special training for those wanting to volunteer for Seal Sitters in West Seattle. A multi-media presentation with photos by first responder Robin Lindsey will illustrate our educational work in the community and the particular challenges of protecting seals and seal pups in an urban environment. Zoologist and education and science advisor Buzz Shaw will discuss biology and behavior of seals and other marine mammals of Puget Sound. Learn how to report and respond to marine mammal strandings. Seating limited to 70 with some standing capacity. Please contact us if you have any questions and keep an eye on the blubberblog for updates regarding participants.

If you encounter a seal pup ashore, you can report this at: (206) 905-SEAL.

Animal flood victims get help

This article was taken from the ASPCA's blog and not written by shydog.

May 7, 2010

Flood Update—ASPCA Responders Search and Rescue in TN

While many have their sights on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, four counties in Tennessee have been declared a federal disaster area after devastating floods hit the Southern state. The flash floods killed at least 28 people and put Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House under six feet of water, and have also affected countless numbers of companion animals, livestock and wildlife.

Earlier this week, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were deployed at the request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society to help with the crisis. The ASPCA is currently on the ground caring for more than 70 animals, including dogs, cats and various birds rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes. The team is also continuing the search for additional animal victims.

Thursday morning, in conjunction with the Dyersburg Fire Department, the Field Investigations and Response Team explored the flooded streets using a search and rescue boat. Reports had recently surfaced that a herd of cattle was stranded in a nearby pasture.

“The fire department took us on their rescue boat to survey the flooded area,” reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Operations. “But the current was a lot stronger than we anticipated, and it was determined not safe to do the cattle check by boat.”

The team immediately began searching for an alternative way to reach the stranded herd. Within hours, with the help of local authorities, they were able locate a small-plane pilot willing to take Cardona on a fly-over of the flooded pasture.

“We saw approximately 35 head of cattle in the affected area,” she reports. “Fortunately the water was receding, the cows appeared active, and they had access to dry land.”

“Countless numbers of animals have been adversely impacted by the storms’ recent destruction and are in need of emergency care,” says ASPCA Senior VP of Anti-Cruelty, Matt Bershadker.“We are proud to assist Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and to be in a position to provide aid for all animal victims.”

Pet safety pack

The ASPCA is giving out FREE Pet Safety Packs. They include a decal for your window where you can list animals in your home (for firefighters, etc) and a magnet with Animal Poison Control's phone number.

free kit



Coming soon: top household poisons for pets and basic pet first aid help.

Cute Puppy Picture (just because)

see more

Pug Meetup

It might not be time for Pugapalooza just yet, but if you're a pug owner (or owned by a pug?) there's a monthly play date already set up for you. The last Sunday of the month at 1pm, rain or shine, pugs of all shapes and sizes hang out at Magnuson Park in the off-leash small dog area. It's a space specifically for smaller and/or shy dogs included in the fenced off-leash area.

Magnuson Park is located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle near the old Sand Point Naval Station. You'll see the smaller dog area on your right.

However, if your pug was like mine and preferred to think of himself as a high class human, there's plenty of coffee shops around the city with outdoor seating where you both can enjoy a strong coffee and share a cookie.

Careful

I happen to frequent the Best Friends web site just to see what's happening over there in Kanab, UT and keep up on happy endings (as I recall, the president of the organization insists on printing happier editorials contrary to the heart breakers I find posted in ASPCA ads). I'll admit I have a soft spot for this place. I've spent many weeks over multiple summers - as my vacation - volunteering to walk young dogs, brush the older ones, play laser tag with kitties, and scoop buckets of rabbit pellets. The place is like nothing I could have imagined from the website alone. The canyon is beyond beautiful and the heat, if you enjoy that, was superb. What struck me most was that there is always a place for the animals there... until the end of their time if needed. And they have it good, too! Cats are in plush rooms with amazing outdoor climbing structures. The bunnies have all that red sand to dig all day in. The donkeys from the old Grand Canyon tours can eat until they have to lie down. And the dogs... they have cots, air conditioning, hydrotherapy, and are grouped by personality type.

I was fortunate to have met Springfeather on my first visit. I was told she was the oldest of the dogs there and uniquely a coyote mix. She had arrived with her two siblings who had been taken from their dens, yet were too old to be reintroduced to the wild after their rescue and rehabilitation. She refused to sleep indoors in winter; opting to burrow her own long passageways in the deep snow. A bit of a recluse, but had perfect manners. I was able to spend a few hours with her and her pod; watching her and eventually sitting side-by-side on the porch together. She was different than any dog I'd ever met. Although she obviously couldn't talk, it was clear she was wise beyond anyone's comprehension. I felt so honored to have been able to rest a hand on her back and get a nose snuzzle before my trip was over. Later that year I sent a giant care package of tennis balls, squeaky toys and cookies to her 'cabin.' A kind staff member wrote back to me of her death. Even though we had a rather short acquaintance, I was deeply affected by her passing.

It's in that memory that I keep going back to read what's going on at the Sanctuary.

I took photos of all the dogs I played with on two of my visits. When I page through them now I can still remember their names and some part of their personality that made them special. Lake was one such dog. Tonight while browsing the adoptables I saw her. Lake is blind, but wicked smart. She knows such words as sit, shake, step up/down, and my favorite: careful, in which she'll snug in closer to you for safety. I spent a long time brushing Lake and petting her soft ears. She's a special needs dog, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a forever home any less. In this case, I'll post her link, but take note that Best Friends is a no-kill rescue. Lake has a home there as long as she needs. If she's the one for you than please do visit. But, if you know of a 'kill' shelter in your area, please try to adopt there first and save a life! Lake

Help pets in need from Southeastern floods

Petfinder.com is taking donations to help animal rescue groups in that area. Paypal is available to make it easy. Like with Katrina - many animals have been separated from their humans, injured, are hungry, and in need of a dry place to sleep.

When you visit Petfinder.com a popup window will appear with everything you need to make a donation.

Low Cost Vaccinations for dogs and cats

Petco in Tukwila will be hosting LuvMyPet’s mobile vaccination clinic soon!

3pm-4pm

Sunday May 23

Sunday June 20

Sunday July 18

Vaccine packages are available for new puppies/kittens. You can also receive flea treatments and microchipping. Keep in mind, the flyer notes that pets under 10lbs and those over 10 years old may require a second visit. I’m not sure if this is due to specialty care needs or the ability of the on-site veterinarian. Check out LuvMyPet.com or visit the Petco at 17200 Southcenter Pkwy in Tukwila for pricing and package details.

Upcoming events

May 22: Ameri-Canine Idol 2010

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
1910 Columbia Park Trail.
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone:509-585-4293

ALL DOGS, ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES!

$5 to enter one contest for one dog; $10 unlimited.

Ameri-Canine Idol for more details.

July 31: Northwest Weinerfest

11:00 am
Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds
Elma, WA 98541
Phone:360-858-7279

Races & contests.

$2 entry fee. Proceeds go to Local and National Dachshund Rescues.

Don't forget the stamp!

I've been waiting for months and it's finally arrived!

The USPS, Ellen, and Halo have teamed up to bring us: Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps.

The Postal Service has a tradition for over 50 years for bringing social awareness to the public via the use of commemorative stamps. This time it's to spread awareness about animal rescues and shelters - take pause and note that over half of animals that end up in shelters risk being euthanized. For more information you can check out Stamps To The Rescue or visit your local Post Office.

Ortho Ecosense – product review

I’m not one to fuss over how green my lawn is. Nor do I worry about “weed whacking” the edges each time. But I am concerned with the weed-to-lawn ratio happening in my stretch of grass. Soon dandelions would take over and that means bees to dodge whenever romping in the grass. I’ve been searching high and low for a way to kill just the weeds, while not harming the grass, my pets, or the squirrels that forage there. Online searches suggested boiling water, or vinegar and hot water, poured directly on each weed. I tried the boiling water method, but it seemed to shock the surrounding grass and do nothing else. And really – who wants to run in/out of the house over and over with a teakettle? Various hardware stores recommended the granule style fertilizer. They told me it’d be safe once absorbed. I tend to disagree with watering lawns for the simple fact: it uses so much water. I also didn’t feel I had time to wait for the dry method to breakdown on its own. Especially when my cat (the largest tabby known to man) likes to pretend he’s hiding … crouched down in the lawn playing fierce jungle cat.
Ecosense , by Ortho, seemed to be my best option. It was available in gallon sized jugs with a built in handle and sprayer. The product states on the front of the label that it’s safe for kids and pets once dry. This particular product in the Ecosense line uses iron as it’s main weed killing ingredient. Results were said to be visible within a few hours. I knew it would be a tedious job. Each weed would have to be sprayed almost individually, but it would be worth it if it worked on the first application and didn’t have a noxious odor.
The spray mechanism in the gallon size uses a traditional household spray bottle nozzle. It would’ve been better with the pump/pressure style I’ve seen on other products. Depending on the amount of weeds you need to spray, this can quickly become tiring, causing you to have to switch hands frequently. There was no odor that I could tell, and one gallon did indeed stretch far enough for my entire front & back lawns (I live on a double lot and the majority is lawn, not house!) I applied it on a sunny day mid-afternoon. By evening I had not noticed any signs of action. A few areas seemed to be blackening, but I had been warned this was the iron in the product and not to be alarmed. I went to bed that night thinking it was a waste of my time and cramp in my hand.
By morning – different story! All the dandelions were black and starting to shrivel. The weeds along my sidewalk cracks had already dried up! A few more hours passed and they were definitely dead. The surrounding grass was totally unaffected from what I could tell. You may be shocked to see black spots all over your otherwise green lawn, but I’ve been told most all weed killing products – granule or spray – will do this; the lawn fills itself in over a month or so.
Because it had no odor, was relatively inexpensive ($15 for the gallon bottle), and did dry quickly, and appears to have a natural occurring main ingredient – I would recommend this product to pet owners that are wary of using harmful chemicals in the yard.

Feed me!

The Animal Rescue Site offers a one-click way to feed homeless dogs & cats. It costs you nothing, but each click gives almost a bowl of food to a shelter animal. Click every day! The site also has fun links to products and other pet information.

And if after that you're in the mood to sign petitions regarding animal welfare, look no further. Click here and you can be on your way to advocating for those that can't always speak for themselves. (I do not endorse any particular group listed, this is only for your information).