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October 2, 2012: Safe, all-natural dog treats! I checked! Almost smoooooooth sailing! No, really! The Frozen Sky!

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A recent investigative report on suspect dog treats from China led me to do a little research on the treats I feed Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu.  After all, just because it says “all natural” and “made in the U.S.” or “made in Canada” on the label doesn’t mean some of the ingredients don’t originate in China.  And so, this weekend, I fired off some emails.  And, today, I heard back.

FRUITABLES

The company offers several products but the one I usually pick up for my dogs is the Pumpkin & Banana flavored dog treats.  Why? Because I like pumpkin AND banana – and the treats smell like freshly baked pumpkin and banana!  Also, Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu really enjoy them.  So, will I keep feeding them to my dogs?

YES!   The packaging states they’re “100% Natural” (Ingredients: Pumpkin, Organic Oatmeal, Pearled Batrley, Potatoes, Oat Fiber, Canola Oil, Brown Sugar, Bananas, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Vanilla, Mixed Tocopherols [a natural preservative]).  And, according to the response I received from a company representative:

“Good Morning and thanks for writing regarding the origination of our treats, we appreciate your concern for your pet’s health.  Fruitables treats are manufactured in the U.S.A. from ingredients sourced in the US and Canada only.  We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that each ingredient is to our specification for each production run.“

Well, that puts my mind at ease.

Fruitables Pet Food – Official Site

BUDDY BISCUITS

The company, Cloud Star, offers a variety of treats, but the ones I usually get for my dogs are the Peanut Butter flavored biscuits.  Why? Because I love peanut butter.  Also, the treats are in the shape of cute little gingerbread men.  And, Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu really enjoy them. So, will I keep feeding them to my dogs?

YES! The package says they’re “All Natural” (Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, Peanut butter, Expeller pressed canola oil, Mixed tocopherols [a natural preservative]).  And this was the response I received from a company representative:

“Good Morning Joseph & furry friends,

 First and foremost thank you for your loyalty to our Buddy Biscuits. All our treats are manufactured and sourced in the United States.  All our ingredients are sourced in the USAJ

Thank you for asking these questions, you can never be too careful or ask too many questions when it comes to your dog’s health today!”

I checked out the Cloud Star website and discovered they offer a variety of treats, both crunch and chewy, and even offer Gingerbread flavored Buddy Biscuits (Wheat flour, Rolled oats, Blackstrap molasses, Natural gingerbread flavor, Expeller pressed canola oil, Mixed tocopherols [a natural preservative]) for the holidays!

CloudStar.com – WAG MORE BARK LESS

Huzzah!  I just completed the fifth act of the outline Paul and I are working on (for that script we’ll eventually write and which, someday, somebody may actually be read by someone who may be interested in making it a television series.  A boy can wish.).  Tomorrow, I finish up the tag and then it’ll be smooooooooooth sailing.

Hey, just hard that my buddy, author Jeff Carlson, has a new novel out, The Frozen Sky:

“I’m hooked.” —Larry Niven
“A first-rate adventure.” —Allen Steele

BENEATH THE ICE

Something is alive inside Jupiter’s ice moon Europa.
Robot probes find an ancient tunnel beneath the
surface, its walls carved with strange hieroglyphics.
Led by elite engineer Alexis Vonderach, a team of
scientists descends into the dark… where they
confront a savage race older than mankind…
FIRST CONTACT

Based on the award-winning short story,
The Frozen Sky is a new full-length sci fi thriller from
the international bestselling author of Plague Year.

Check out Jeff’s recent guest post at SF Signal: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2012/09/goest-post-the-last-of-the-mohicans-jeff-carlson-on-aliens-spaceships-and-the-frozen-sky

Or, even better, check out The Frozen Sky:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Frozen-Sky-Novel-ebook/dp/B009GLM5LG/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-frozen-sky-jeff-carlson/1113016229

Which reminds me – I’m long overdue for a Recent Best Reads entry. I’ve got a bunch of great books to recommend, maybe later in the week.

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22 responses

  1. sg1efc Avatar
    sg1efc

    Thanks for that treat info. I actually just bought some Blue Buffalo treats for the first time. On their website they state this:

    Where is your food manufactured?

    We create and develop our own recipes with our staff veterinarians and PhD nutritionists. We work with only U.S. partners to manufacture our products according to our recipes and specifications. Product quality is our #1 priority. We have strict controls in place to make sure that our ingredients meet the highest quality standards. All of our ingredients come from facilities that are USDA-approved and inspected.

    I had been buying another dog food brand before BB and it had dehydrated fruit such as banana pieces. The problem I found with this is that it was not digested by my dog, so it was a ‘waste’, LoL. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Randomness Avatar
    Randomness

    Speaking of The Frozen Sky, it sounds like an interesting premise for a novel. For one the moon has its own magnetic field(Long sciencey explanation here that really I couldn’t explain well). And an atmosphere(Not much of one). Although it’s likely very cold(Again how can something survive in those temps?). Life could of originated from the oceans and made its way through the crust somehow?

    Scientists assume its mearly a moon containing a deep ocean, covered by surface ice but perhaps something more is there?

    There’s so much we don’t know about our own back yard let alone planets outside our own solar system. I for one would be happy to step on another planet or moon in my lifetime(Although unlikely at the rate technology is going).

    Anyways boring space stuff aside, it sounds like the reply you got regarding your questions Joe was a generic one that no doubt gets sent to anyone asking specific questions that they have a template answer for. They seem to lack a personal touch, like someone had address that response just for you.

    Reply
  3. Ponytail Avatar
    Ponytail

    I spent a lot of time researching my dog’s food. But it is just within the last year, thanks to your blog, that I have become interested my dog’s treats. I always thought she didn’t eat as much treats as food, so it’s not as important. But actually, since I have a fiesty, stubborn, big mouth beagle, it takes a lot of treats to get her to behave and do what I want her to do (like stop howling at the neighborhood).

    I have iliminated some treats, but will be doing what you did and checking out the treats I think are okay for my dog. I hope they pass the research test or it’ll be in the trash for them. Thanks Joe!

    Reply
  4. gforce Avatar
    gforce

    It’s great you heard back so promptly from those companies. That’s good customer service. Even better that your mind’s put at ease.

    On my way into the canyon tomorrow morning so I’ll be off line for a few days. Try not to miss me too much, you guys!! I’ll try to post some pics after.

    Like I said, I wanted to try reading more fiction, so maybe I’ll pick that book when I get home!

    Reply
  5. JeffW Avatar
    JeffW

    @Joe:

    I love the space based stuff, so of course I had to go out and get Jeff’s book. I might even be able to get to it on my return flight on Sunday…here’s hoping.

    @gilder and hubby:

    I’m not sure if you all tried to call me at the Sutton Place Hotel this afternoon; a strange thing happened to the phone in the room. It rang once and I picked it up and no one was there (dead silence). I then put the phone on the hook and picked it up again (yep, I had a dial tone, so it appeared to be working). A few minutes later, the message light blinked, but on checking my messages, the system reported that I had none and the light went out…weird. Now I suspect that the phone system is playing mind games with me 😉

    Anyway, if you tried to get through and had problems, just leave a message with the front desk and I’ll be sure to check with them. Or you can post a comment on:

    http://www.corasgarage.com/constantinsanityblog/

    And I’ll see it when I check my blog.

    @Line Noise:

    I do have a visit to the UK coming up. I’m visiting a customer in Sittingbourne (near Canterbury) on Friday November 9th. I’m then knocking about on the weekend (but I do have to fly to Naples on Sunday afternoon…from Gatwick…uggh).

    Since I have Saturday November 10th open I was thinking about driving out to the West Country, and I could stop by Bath on the way to Almondsbury-Bristol (my old stomping ground when Barb and I lived there in the late ’90s). Maybe a bite of lunch at the Pumproom? Drop me a comment on my blog above with your email address and I’ll reply in kind.

    Reply
  6. JimFromJersey Avatar
    JimFromJersey

    All of this deadly dog treat business prompted us to start making our own. They’re cheap, quick and easy (and tasty!). I’ll post the recipe later when I have access to it.

    Reply
  7. DAH Avatar
    DAH

    For anyone interested in the safety of their pet’s food they should check out this incredibly comprehensive and current website:

    http://www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

    Susan Thixton also runs PetsumerReport.com which you can subscribe to for about $18 US per year that details about 2500 different pet foods, their ingredients, where they are sourced from, recall history. She gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what to feed your pets.

    I think you’ll find it interesting.

    Reply
  8. DP Avatar
    DP

    I’m a little skeptical about what all the word “sourced” could mean. It could mean all bought from U.S. warehouses. I’d be more comfortable with “no ingredients or substances that temporarily mix with the ingredients in [product] originate outside the U.S. or Canada, nor do they leave the borders of the U.S. or Canada”.

    Good job on asking, they know you’re watching and what their customers want.

    I’d be even more comfortable if an organization with a good reputation developed certification requirements that substantiate the entire supply chain for companies who want to be able to show their customers that certification. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a government doing it. They lose the plot on the mission due to pressures. So do NGO’s, but at least then you can pick a competitor if you have suspicions.

    I used to be responsible for products with trace-ability for materials and processes all the way back to the mines. It is extremely involved, but do-able. (easier if you could keep the government out of it since big companies tend to use it to make competing harder for smaller companies)

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    So I see you read Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil. I really liked that book. I like the movie to even though it was different from the book, I thought it captured the spirit of the book. I’m curious as to your thoughts on both book and how the movie was as an adaption???? – Jennifer

    Reply
  10. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    Sorry I haven’t been very active lately. Yes, I loved both Kindreds, and Last Man, esp. Ronon and Todd’s blaze of glory moment, I just haven’t been up to my usual long-winded comments. Why? Because I re-discovered jigsaw puzzles! Yes, it is part of my attempt to wean myself off of the internet, and it seems to be working!

    Now, to wean myself off of jigsaw puzzles. 😛

    das

    Reply
  11. Sparrow_hawk Avatar
    Sparrow_hawk

    @JeffW: I hope you are having a productive business trip and eating lots of good food. A full report will be expected upon your return.

    @Joe: Oh goody! Book recommendations. I could use some. I’m in kind of a rut at the moment.

    Reply
  12. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    I need to go back through a few years of posts to see if the number of ‘o’s in your ‘smooooth sailing’ is an indication of whether it really is smooth sailing, or something quite the opposite. 😉

    das

    Reply
  13. John D. Avatar
    John D.

    Thanks for the shout-out, Joe! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Airelle Avatar
    Airelle

    Joe, thanks for another book to look at. always welcome.

    Reply
  15. polyp0124 Avatar
    polyp0124

    @dasndanger: Analysing the number of o’s in Joe’s “smooooth sailing” would be a fun project. My hypothesis: the project’s progress is inversely proportionate to the number of o’s in “smooth sailing,” especially when accompanied by “No, really!”

    Speaking of reading and sci-fi, I read about a book and now can’t remember the name of the book. Can anyone help? (@Joe @JeffW) It was futuristic. The (male? not sure) protagonist was able to move through parallel universes. All of the versions of the protagonist in each universe was able to do so and they were eventually amassing into one large army to start a revolution of some sorts. The protagonist in the primary universe had to decide if he wanted to join. I think this was a book, but maybe it was a movie? Gah. Next time, I’ll write these things down.

    Reply
  16. polyp0124 Avatar
    polyp0124

    Not sure to where my manners escaped, but thanks in advance for your help on tracking down this book/movie/thing.

    Reply
  17. JeffW Avatar
    JeffW

    @ polyp0124:

    Sorry, the closest I came was Blink by Ted Dekker where the protagonist can see all possible outcomes a few minutes in advance…but no armies or revolutions.

    You might enjoy this though:

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx4GZJpL8W0&w=560&h=315%5D

    Reply
    1. polyp0124 Avatar
      polyp0124

      Thanks for your help @JeffW. And that video . . . amazing. I might rewatch this multiple times in multiple universes and still think it’s awesome.

      Reply
  18. Debra Avatar
    Debra

    @dah I suggest you go to another source or several to verify truthaboutpefood. The blogger often posts things that frankly lack scientific verification and is full of hype. When you have an ax to grind, all axes are too dull for your approval. Just saying.

    These 3 are all touted by my nutrition buddies and I feel good recommending them. I actually know the guy who produces the salmonears and he turned me on to raw food and vaccine issues nearly 18 yrs ago.

    I like Salmonears (usa made, North Atlantic human grade salmon)’

    Many love BestBullySticks.com

    Ditto for coloradopettreats.com

    Reply
  19. DAH Avatar
    DAH

    @Debra No one should ever rely on just one source for any information, but awareness must begin somewhere. And just because something is made or sourced in the US or Canada doesn’t mean that there won’t be an issue with it. It seems as if every day you hear of a human food recall. How about the recent nut butter recalls? Or remember the organic spinach recall a few years back? I think we need to show more concern with how things are grown, handled, and processed. While raw is a great alternative for a lot of people there is still always going to be a risk of contamination. It’s all about mitigating the risk.

    And I couldn’t agree with you more about vaccinations. I haven’t done that in years either, and all my cats are indoor cats.

    Interesting that you should mention Colorado Pet Treats, because just this morning I got this from the FDA:

    Kasel Associated Industries Recalls Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk – http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm322471.htm

    It pains me to think that we can’t be 100% certain that what we feed our pets, or eat ourselves isn’t going to hurt us.

    Reply
  20. PBMom Avatar
    PBMom

    I’ve given my dog Buddy Biscuits before, but not the others. She might love those.

    Reply
  21. Duptiang Avatar
    Duptiang

    I like the links, but it seems that one of the sites almost wants to turn a dog into a vegan. Speaking of doggie treats I was inspecting my mother’s shelf of treats for her little friend to see if their ingredients stack up. She recently went on a cruise to Alaska and came back with some dog treats from the Alaskacannery. In reading the ingredients I was almost enticed to have one of the salmon snacks myself (salmon, rice, salt, ).

    Reply

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