Sherry’s Corner

Kudos to Newman’s Own, the National Dog Show, Authors, and Trainers

Chances are the future will continue to be filled with stories of how the late Paul Newman inspired many through the sale of Newman=s Own products.  And, those who gained were not just children but pets.  For example, the next time an animal lover reaches for one of these labels and it is Newman=s Own Diavolo Spicy Simmer sauce, remember Jacob!  Jacob was a Vizla who died of cancer after weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments followed by a year=s remission.  His owner Sue Bloom created a recipe that won the Newman=s Own Good Housekeeping award and $50,000.  In Jacob=s memory as part of his life=s legacy Bloom then donated the award to the Harrington Radiation Program at Tufts University and the Stanley O. Travis fund for the care of indigent and found animals.  The name of the 1994 winning recipe was Lamb Shanks Inferno.  It uses Newman=s Own Diavolo Spicy simmer sauce and serves 4. 

      From a therapy team member–@We are chauffeurs  for our dogs!@  From my e-mail–a new company that specializes in products for handicapped pets.  They even have diapers for birds!  Their wheelchairs for disabled and elderly pets made CNN and they have a helmet with feelers for dogs who are blind or have impaired sight.

      Still Other Legislation Needs: Although we achieved remarkable legislative success in the passage of the dog law in the Commonwealth, there is still important legislation to pass.  As of now no state has passed legislation allowing plaintiffs to recover damages for loss of companionship, emotional distress or pain and suffering in actions alleging veterinary negligence.

      The ANCIENT CONTRACT between domestic animals and man requires that we meet certain obligations to animals– call them our responsibilities or rights of the animals.  AWhether called rights or responsibilities , we are discussing food, water, shelter, medical care, freedom from unnecessary suffering, and respect for the animal=s biological and psychological natures.@  As we have seen with the old dog law–what is legal is not always what is right! The revised dog law affirms the ancient contract. 

      New Book: On my Christmas list this year the book, ANatural Remedies Dogs and Cats Wish You Knew: A Holistic Care Guide” by Viv Harris.  It received a great review from a veterinarian in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  Also, probably one of the most intriguing studies reported in this issue of the Journal was on multi-drug sensitivity among dogs.  Although it was targeted toward dogs with a herding genetic background, the pictures of some of the affected subjects resembled Labrador retrievers and were mixed breeds.  Does this mean we need to get DNA profiles of our Amutts@ in order to adequately protect them from disease?

      National Dog Show Update: This year the National Dog Show, one of only five of 3,000 dog shows to be benched, moves to Reading.  On hand to discuss the event will be David Frei,  Peter Green and Ernesto Lara (the Cesar Millan of dog shows). If you haven=t read Angel by my Side co-authored  by David Frei you are missing a great book about a heroic Golden Retriever.  And, did you know that Greenfield Kennels, home of the famed Green Team with 4 Westminster titles– is located in Bowmansville, Lancaster County?  Lancaster has some notable and great kennels as well as the shameful ones.  And, Pennsylvania has some of the best breeders in the country as well as the backyard and commercial breeders.