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Volume 2/Issue 3 Discover the right way to store pet food By Autumn Daughetee Do you check the expiration date before you buy a gallon of milk or a package of ground beef? Of course you do; this is simply common sense. Now, do you check the expiration date on your dog’s food? You should. In fact, many of the same rules should apply to the purchase and storage of pet and human food. It is extremely important to store pet food correctly. To keep it fresh and healthy for your pet, you should: • Choose a high-quality pet food. There are numerous pet food companies that produce food manufactured to high standards using the highest quality ingredients. • Store kibble in a cool, dry location. Damp areas such as basements or open containers leave kibble vulnerable to mold. Canned food should be covered and refrigerated after it is opened. Discard if not used after three to five days. An alternative is to freeze canned food in ice cube trays. • Avoid using reusable plastic containers to store pet food. These containers are not always airtight. In addition, plastic can absorb fat and oils, which can increase the risk of food becoming rancid. • Throw away any canned food that your dog does not eat immediately. • Store pet food out of reach of young children and pets. • Check best before and expiration dates on pet food. These dates can sometimes be found on the back of bags or the bottom of cans. March 2015 Pet Spotlight: March Maggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, and her brother Bucky, a Great Pyrenees mix, live in Weatherford with Lindsey and Robert Erwin. Also part of the Erwin family are three equine sisters— horse Terra and miniature donkeys Sophie and Souvie. In addition, Maggie and Bucky share the house with two feline brothers— Bo and Andy. Both Maggie and Bucky like to curl up in any available lap. Bucky also has a talent for wrestling, He’s currently training his little sister in the sport. Mutt Meatballs are a party hit By Autumn Daughetee I made these for my dog Lucy’s birthday party this year. Yes, I know, my dog is insanely spoiled. However, these meatballs are easy and quick to make and dogs of every shape and size seem to love them. One of the pet parents in attendance seemed to like them too. However, he’s always been a bit of a weirdo. The rest of us were content to let our canine companions scarf these down. Mutt Meatballs Ingredients 1/2 pound ground beef or sirloin 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/4 cup oats 1 egg 3 tablespoons low-sodium tomato paste Directions Preheat your oven to 350 farenheit. Beat the egg in a separate bowl. Combine all ingredients, including the egg, in a bowl. Roll into small meatballs. Place meatballs on a well-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool before serving. Should you share your bed with your pet? By Autumn Daughetee For many pet parents it starts with a new puppy or kitten that is unused to sleeping alone. After a lot of crying and whining, the exhausted pet parents simply bring the puppy into their bed for the night. Fast forward several years and the much larger dog or cat is still sleeping in their human’s bed. Does this sound familiar to you? Did your pet make their way into your bed via another route? Chances are about 50/50 that if you’re a pet owner you’ll have your pet in your bed tonight. Nearly half of dogs in the United States sleep in their human’s bed. More than half of American cats will curl up with their pet parent at night. This isn’t just an American habit. Similar numbers are reported in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Japan. However, before you cuddle up next to your kitty or canine tonight, you might want to consider new research on sharing your bed with the family pet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report, titled “Emerging Infectious Disease,” that notes pets may also bring with them bacteria, viruses, parasites and more. An extreme example of this is a 9-year-old boy from Arizona who contracted bubonic plague from sleeping with a sick cat. Bubonic plague is spread through flea bites. While cats may fall ill, dogs are more resistant to the plague. However dogs can carry plague fleas and it is possible for them to become ill. Another danger of pets in the bedroom is cat-scratch fever. This can be transmitted to pet parents who have been scratched or licked by a cat with the disease-causing fleas. Save your pet’s paws By Autumn Daughetee Winter can be tough on your pet’s feet. Salt on sidewalks and roadways can irritate paws. Wind and the cold will cause skin irritation. Although this salve is edible, try to distract your pet from licking it off with a gentle message. If there is any sign of bleeding or infection, see a veterinarian immediately. Ingredients 1/8 cup coconut oil (liquid or room temperature) 1 tsp. vitamin E oil Directions In a small b owl or jar, combine both ingredients and let thicken. Store the mixture in the refrigerator. Apply the mixture to paw pads or noses to prevent or correct minor dryness. The deadly MRSA virus has also been linked to sick animals. Many humans carry MRSA in their noses and so do dogs. Sharing your bed with a sick canine can result in the spread of MRSA. Sleeping humans can also become infected with worms and other parasites through sharing a bed with their pet. Pets also can carry fleas, which easily jump to bedding and humans in search of a meal. While this all sounds quite alarming, many veterinarians say that being diligent in maintaining pet health can greatly reduce the risks associated with sharing a bed with your pet. They recommend staying current on immunizations, using flea and tick control and regularly having your pet’s stool tested for parasites. However, young children and adults with compromised immune systems should not sleep with pets and should also avoid other close contact with their pets. The Lucy Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that aids pet owners financially, through their local vet office, with the treatment of their pet when the cost becomes a burden on the pet owner. The Lucy Fund Newsletter is published by The Lucy Fund, Inc., www.thelucyfund.org. Volume 1, Issue 1. Editor: Autumn Daughetee, [email protected] Founder: Katie Phillips For more information on The Lucy Fund, please visit www. thelucyfund.org or email info@ thelucyfund.org. If you would like to submit a pet recipe or story idea, please email [email protected]. Joseph L Phillips, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant Income Tax Preparation Individual, Corporate, Non-Profit, Estate Tax, Amendments Payroll Services – Payroll Tax and Reporting Bookkeeping Services Client representation at IRS Texas State Franchise Tax Services always performed by a Certified Public Accountant QUICKBOOKS CERTIFIED PRO ADVISOR *Saturday appointments thru April 11th* 817-579-1515 www.phillips-cpa.net