Here’s a copy of the complaint
August 30, 2005 l Comments Off
That I sent in to Nutro:
First let me say that I am a faithful customer, and heartily endorse Nutro Products to other pet-owning friends. I myself own four cats, and feed them an all-canned diet. The benefits of such a diet can be read about here: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=whycatsneedcannedfood
I was in the pet store Sunday morning (name of store, location), and there was a Nutro representative there. In addition to standing behind the table and offering information and free samples, he was also walking up and down the pet food aisles and engaging pet owners in conversations regarding their pet’s diet. That is not what I have a problem with. What I have a problem with, is the erroneous information that he freely gave to unsuspecting pet owners. As any pet owner would, they desire the best for their pet, and hearing information from a representative of the company holds a lot of weight.So it concerned me greatly when this representative began to tell these people how bad canned food was. He said, and I quote, “Most canned food is 70% water.” I was a little suprised that he would say that. Not only is it not true*, he’s also saying this with the backing of a company that sells canned food! Which, by the way, I buy for my cats.
He also went on to say that it should be fed very rarely, if at all, as it is more of a “treat” than anything. Obviously, he’s never read the part of the label that says canned food is AAFCO certified! And being a customer, I know that your canned food is nutritionally balanced and is most certainly NOT a treat to be fed only on “rare occasions”.
To be honest, this spreading of patently false information infuriates me. And considering that you are a company that makes and sells canned cat food, I was shocked that your representative would dissuade people from buying it.
* actually, it is true that canned food is mostly water. What I was taking issue with, is that it was made to sound like is a bad thing. As moggiegirl on the Cat Forum pointed out, “It is true that canned food contains more than 70% water but on a dry matter basis canned food contains more protein than dry food. The meat we buy in a grocery store is about 70% water too and so are mice and birds and all the prey animals cats eat in the wild. That’s why the correct way to calculate nutritional adequacy is on a dry matter basis. If canned food is 78% water and 22% dry matter and the label on the can of food reads 10% protein you divide the 10% protein into the 22% dry matter to get 45% protein. Too many people are reading it wrong. They see 10% protein on the label of the can and think all they’re feeding their cat is a canned drink of water. WRONG!!! It’s actually a nutritionally complete meal that is high in water, good for nourishing the body.”
That is all.
Oh how I wish I had a camera for this one…
August 28, 2005 l 2 Comments
Stephanie was reaching into the rabbits’ cage and “petting” Rex on the head. She was literally using her paw to run down Rex’s forehead. I have a feeling she wanted to play with his ears (she does this when he’s out), but it was so cute to see her trying to play with her buddy.
Rex, meanwhile, did not once move from his salad.
Happy 16th, Beeper!
August 25, 2005 l Comments Off
an answer to a little girl’s prayer,
and our miracle kitty.
I can’t tell you how much I love starting off my day by having some one-on-one with the fuzzbutts. Both the bunnies were binky-ing around my room like mad; Peanut does these wild leaps and kicks out in every direction, while Rex’s are more controlled. But Rex also likes to do his Bunny 500’s, the little speed demon.
When they weren’t expending their spastic energy, the two bunsters were getting as much affection as they could. Peanut will melt for an ear massage, and Rex purrs and purrs if given a nose rub. Peanut also gave me a rather tickly kiss on the nose.
I love my bunnies.
Rubber boots
August 23, 2005 l 2 Comments
The cat was peeing in the closet because of the rubber boots.
Nevermind the enzymatic cleaner, nevermind the Lysol. Once we took the boots away, she stopped. I don’t know if there was something on the boots, or what, but Scully was definately peeing on and around them for a reason.
She has not peed in that closet one time since we took the boots away, and it’s been well over two days.
Freakish cat…
I love them to pieces
August 22, 2005 l Comments Off
Even when they are peeing everywhere. Even when they are shedding enough to create three new pets. Even when they shirk my affection.
I love them to pieces.
Even when they are exasperating. When they are costing me extra time. When they are costing me extra money.
I love them to pieces.
Why?
Because, even when I don’t always feed them on time, and I don’t always give them enough attention, and I don’t always have enough patience…
They love me too.
There’s nothing like the smell of cat pee in the morning.
August 21, 2005 l Comments Off
Ah, yes, as it wafts from the entry way closet the moment you walk through the door, you know the day is off to a good start…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have an inkling it’s Scully, but I can’t prove it. So far she’s been the only one with the charming habit of urinating where she is not supposed to. Like the aforementioned closet (thrice now, in fact).
My first thought, as I am scrubbing the floor with enzyme cleaner, is that we need to get a blacklight and see if there’s any spots of dried pee (oh the joy) that might be attracting the offender.
My second thought is that said offender may in fact have a urinary tract infection (Scully’s already had one), and they should probably be cleared for any underlying health issues. That’s followed closely by second-thought-part-B, which is that this couldn’t have come at a worse time. I’m buying my textbooks this week, as well as paying my share of repairs for the car’s recent fenderbender.
Soooo….
I need more coffee. I need to not start my day by cleaning up urine. I need to make cookies for the neighbors, and breakfast for the kids, and cook up a casserole (for that party after church). Oh yeah, and the rabbits’ cage really needs to be cleaned. Concerns about finances and vet visits, and the like, can wait until I’ve actually had a decent night’s sleep. As for today…
*big breath*
another one from the files
August 20, 2005 l Comments Off
Cruising through some of my back posts on the rabbit forum, I found this:
(written October 2004)
I finally figured one of the things that compells us to have pets.
I have two large litterboxes in my room for the cats (all five of them) that need to be emptied at least twice a week, and scooped almost every day (the things they don’t tell you about fostering). Anyway…
I was a bit tired from a weekend with youth group kids, and lots of homework, hunched over scooping….well, you know from these litterboxes, grumbling to myself about how I really, really hate doing this, and I look up…
And there’s a cat, four kittens, and two bunnies, sitting there watching me with rapt attention, like I was doing the most amazing thing in the world. Just in awe.
I finished, sat down for a minute, and Peanut ran over, put her two front feet on my knee, and gave me the sweetest gaze. And that’s when it came to me: who else would you in such high esteem for simply scooping a litterbox?
A General Update on the Inhabitants of the Domestic Zoo
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Cats:
We seem to have the feeding situation under control with the three youngest felines. Stephanie has been (mostly) eating all of her share, and Scully has not thrown up once. It still makes me nervous to feel just how thin and small Steph is in comparison to Miko, but it doesn’t have me worried enough to warrant a vet visit. She’s alert, active, has a good appetite, and is the very picture of health. Just…small, is all.
Beeper’s 16th birthday is in just 5 days. The old girl is as aloof and cantankerous as she has ever been, spending most of her time asleep in one of her chosen spots in the backyard. She’s also had me concerned with regards to her weight, but there’s not much to do besides monitor her for any other significant symptoms. To take an elderly ex-feral to the vet would be tantamount to torture for her, resulting in far too much stress, and only to be justified in the case of extreme illness or injury. Honestly, she is not my cat, and while I don’t always agree with the choices my parents make for her, I know that they would never intentionally bring harm to her. She is happy, she is loved, and she spends her days dreaming of chipmunks. What could be better?
Rabbits:
Rex and Peanut have been their usual selves. Sleep most of the day, rouse themselves at mealtimes, do a little digging/chewing/cage rearranging, and spend the majority of their waking hours snuggling and grooming. It’s been too hot to let them go outside, and my room is not entirely rabbit-proofed yet, so they don’t get out as much as I wish they could. They do get a lot of TLC, though, and will melt into ooey-gooey-puddles-of-bunny-love when they get their daily ear rubs.
Healthwise they couldn’t be better. Eating/peeing/pooping machines, of course, and Rex is molting now which means they get extra doses of pumpkin and Laxatone. But their weight is perfect, their teeth look good, and I think they may just stick around for another 5 or 6 years. I couldn’t be happier if they did.
Hamster:
Napster will be two in September, which means he is fast approaching his senior years. His skin and coat look really good, though he hates to have me brush him. He’s also got a recurring problem with Sticky Eye but there doesn’t appear to be an infection or anything.
His appetite is still strong, and he loves to eat his fruits and veggies. He’s beginning to accept treats from my hand, but it’s hard to socialize with him when he simply refuses to be active when there is anyone around. Little stinker.
I’ll admit that I feel like I haven’t really bonded with him, and yet I know I’m going to miss him when he’s gone. Crazy how a little fuzzball can worm his way into your heart…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Anyway, that’s the update for now. Purrs and love licks from all the critters here!
Simply irresistible.
August 14, 2005 l 1 Comment
