NEW FOOD RECALL ALERT!!!

Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Select Poultry Products for Dogs and Cats

For Immediate Release September 18, 2007 Contact: David Bogner (866) 922-9222 www.bravorawdiet.com

Vernon, CT – Bravo! announces a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs. The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Both Salmonella and Listeria are organisms which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and if there is cross contamination, in people, especially small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people with Salmonella infection may only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long term complications can include arthritis and other more serious ailments. Healthy people with Listeria infection may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with any of the three products. The recalled products are distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet sales and directly to consumers, and they can be identified by the batch ID code located on the hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tubes. The recalled products should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund. Recalled Pet Food: Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110 Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236 Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110 Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236 Reason for Recall: Listeria Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food Product Number: 21-212 Size: 2 pound tube Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226 Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria Other Batch IDs for these same products are not involved in the recall. Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement. This voluntary recall has been issued because the FDA detected the bacteria in samples during a recent review. In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/foodbornetips.htm. People may risk Salmonella infection not only by handling these pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection after having handled the recalled product should seek medical attention. Consumers may report any complaints to FDA's local District Complaint Coordinator’s located on the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html. Healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Salmonella. Animals ill with Salmonella will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Salmonella or not should contact their veterinarian. For more information on the Bravo recall, please visit www.bravorawdiet.com , or call toll free (866) 922-9222

Bring Maxy home today!!!

While roaming around the South End of Boston on Sunday I met a wonderful volunteer from Animal Rescue League and one of the pooches there.... Maxy a 5-6 year old full breed fawn female Boxer. It seems she was used in a breeding program repeatedly and not well cared for. She has some seperation anxiety issues which lead her to anxiety driven inside messes and destruction. She is stressed out and needs some tlc and patience from someone who understands how to crate train and deal sensitively with an anxious dog. She is sweet and somewhat mellow but I am sure her playful Boxer attributes will come out soon as she settles into a wonderful new home where she is loved and comforted. I think she would do best in a two dog family with another pooch that is also of neutral dominance and won't beat her up but won't be timid.



Call Melissa Cox at the Animal Rescue league to take this sweet girl home today!!!

Melissa Cox
Adoption Supervisor
Animal Rescue League
617.426.9170, ext 134

For some of us, Autumn is descending

The temps are starting to lower in the Northeast and I find myself grabbing a jacket on my way out the door for Bella's first and last walks of the day. This time of year is my favorite for those long nature excursions.

When the weather is hot I love to take my dog to White's Pond up in the Sudbury/Concord area. In the fall however, I want lingering strolls under canopies of colored tree branches and vast expanses of rolling hills with lots of space for my pooch to run and play.

It's finally cooling down enough so that our dogs are less at risk of summertime ailments like heatstroke but still keep an eye out for muscular tears, broken bones and abraded paws. Dogs will sometimes push themselves too hard and after a summer of 85+ degree days.... the cooler temps will have them thinking they are invincible and able to run a marathon!

I would love for everyone to write in and post a comment with their favorite fall walks/runs/trips so we can share them with all the readers! Take care everyone and enjoy the weather!

Labor Day Safety Tips!!!

Hello everyone! Bella and I are on a mini vacation.... from each other. While I am in Denver fulfilling some work obligations Bella is staying in Cambridge with good friends Michael and Elizabeth and in between late night anxiety attacks and vomiting from separation anxiety and treat overload ...she seems to be handling the time apart better than I expected.

For those of you traveling with your pets or just hanging out in your back yards...follow these safety tips to keep everyone safe and happy!!!

• BBQ's are fun but keep your pooch away from the brownies, chocolate chip cookies, onions and grapes! All cause bad bad tummies and potential lethal vet visits!
• Alcohol.... yeah, one or two (okay 3-4) are great while sitting back with friends BUT keep your glasses and bottles out of reach of the pups... the sweet mixers and tasty hops can be appealing to even the most staunch goody two shoes of your canine bunch! Alcohol can't be metabolized by the delicate canine system and will result in much more than a nasty hangover and hankering for a bit of the "hair of the dog that bit you" the next morning!
• Heat!!! Keep them hydrated and in the shade! We often forget that our dogs bodies run at a temperature hotter than our own...add in that fur and the inability to sweat and you have DANGER. They maybe our best friends and want to go everywhere with us BUT be their best friend in return and keep them out of hot cars and the hot sun this weekend. Heat Stroke can cause serious irrevocable problems including but not limited to brain damage and death. Play it safe. If there isn't a constant cool water source and shade...leave them at home next to the AC with a bone and the remote tuned into into animal planet!
• Over exertion.... sometimes our canine athletes just don't know when to stop. With the over stimulation of having you home for 3 whole days combined with extra family, friends, snacks and fun filled activity...a dog is bound to push itself. Check the paws for injuries like tears, worn spots, burns, punctures, etc. Pay attention to any lameness or limping.... they may have pulled or torn a muscle. Don't hesitate to give that athlete a time out so they can recover and a little mini canine massage! Bella loves them!
• Have Fun!!!

Marathon Paws will be back in business on Tuesday Sept 4th in Boston. We look forward to seeing you all around!!!

We are back online!!!

Due to some blogging technical difficulties we have been offline for several weeks but I am now happy to say that everything is resolved and we are back!!!Keep tuned in for great tips, products,recipes, and fun stuff from Marathon Paws!!!!


Bella and Michele