TCR Eat

Death toll from Sportmix pet food recall said to be rising: “I am aware of approximately 40 deaths,” veterinarian tells TCR
The number of dogs fatally poisoned by contaminated food that the FDA announced was being recalled after at least 28 dogs died and eight became sick appears to be rising.

Pet Food Company Targets, Taunts Veterinarians
The most frustrating part of his job, Just Food For Dogs chief medical officer Chavez says, is an “easy” question. Convincing “veterinarians,” he continues, “who have a biological education and understand physiology that real food…real chicken; real broccoli; real rice is healthier than a little ultra-processed brown ball of feed-grade kibble that is shelf-stable at room temperature for two years in a bag. You know, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, are you kidding me?’”
Mr. Buckley happily joins in the attack: “I could ask my doctor. I could ask my dentist. I could ask my chiropractor what my diet should be. And none of them would recommend a highly-processed diet and nothing fresh.”
“The mainstream veterinarian needs research and proof that real food is healthier, and that just boggles my mind,” Dr. Chavez adds. “We’re the last healthcare profession that is recommending an ultra-processed daily sustenance. It’s just crazy.”

Five COVID-19-friendly activities to do with your dog this fall
Like everything else in 2020, fall will be different this year because of COVID-19. Many of the activities that we look forward to and associate with the season — attending a high school football game or heading to a harvest festival — might now be canceled. Fortunately, there are plenty of activities we can continue to enjoy with our dogs while staying physically distanced from other people.
Here are five COVID-19-friendly activities to do with your dog this fall:

Two Weeks, Two Recalls — And This Is Not The First Of This Major Pet Food Company’s Troubles With FDA
FDA spox tells TCR, “FDA has received at least one report about Sunshine Mills products in that timeframe…” In both recalls, the major pet food company noted that “no illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date.” That’s a statement Sunshine may no longer be able to make.

Celebrating Me: My Birthday Party
On Sunday, I celebrated my birthday, the day of days, with my best friends and family. Anyone who is anyone was at my party. It was the event of the COVID-19 season. My actual birthday is July 13. I can’t believe that I am six-years-old. So many birds executed, yet so many birds still at large. I slaughtered one of Grandma’s little humming birdies a few days ago. Delicious. Where was I?

Essentially Nellie: Confessions of a Labrador Summer 2020 Vlog
Head Blogger Nellie (“Essentially Nellie, Confessions of a Labrador”) has updated her blog with a video. She would also like to announce that she has lost another pound since her last blog post. She’s down a total of almost five pounds, and has five more to go until she reaches her bird-murdering/ideal weight. Nellie’s Vlog […]

The Farmer’s Dog has its skeptics: veterinarians
Following our publication of an earlier story about The Farmer’s Dog, we heard from three veterinarians who say that they would not feed The Farmer’s Dog to their own dogs or recommend the food to clients.

The Farmer’s Dog Promises Safe, Fresh, Human-Grade Food For Dogs. They seem to be the real deal.
In an industry swirling with recalls and warnings, one dog food company seems to have found a way to distinguish itself. NEW YORK—Recent headlines linking certain types of dog foods to canine heart disease and other illnesses have made owners more attentive to and wary of what they feed their dogs. The result has been […]

I Ate A Tin Can by Nellie Brill
The night began like any Monday night. On weeknights, my brother Rocky and I are alone in the main house until mom stops talking to her screen, usually around 8. My brother Rocky is also a Labrador, but not the kind of Labrador you hear about who does cool stuff like get so excited […]