Not many people are aware of this...

Xylitol is deadly to Dogs !
        You may be aware of the risks of Xylitol to dogs.
        (an artificial sweetener used in diabetic foods, mints, chewing gum,
        Sugar free pudding,  etc.) 

        The  risks of xylitol ingestion with dogs:- (as little
        as 2 pieces of gum can cause death in a 20 lb dog). 
        
        Xylitol causes mass insulin release in dogs, leading to severe, acute hypoglycemia.         
        Symptoms in as little as 20 minutes, or as late as 12 hours: ataxia
        (staggering gait), depression, lethargy, confusion, seizures & death.
        Even if they survive the hypoglycemia, many dogs experience liver
        failure and death 3-4 days later. There is no antidote or "cure." The
        only option is to try and stay ahead of it by giving mass amounts of
        Glucose to combat the effects of the Xylitol until it finally
        metabolizes out of their system in 12-24 hours. Also, to check liver
        enzymes a few days later to see if your dog is experiencing fatal
        Liver failure - no real cure or treatment, just supportive care.
     
Xylitol tastes just like sugar, but with fewer calories, so there has
        been an explosion of products in the US with Xylitol added. 
        Strawberries & Raspberries are natural sources of xylitol.

In today's world, in this country especially the inconsistencies are enormous. The gap between two complete opposite courses of action is unacceptable. In one state, you can have a Michael Vick fighting dog completely transformed into a therapy dog, happily serving a constructive purpose and enjoying every minute of it. In yet another state (Ohio, specifically) breed specific paranoia has caused a local policy of mandating pit bull owners to surrender their beloved pets to animal control where they will be unceremoniously killed.

Now, in Saratoga Springs, Utah that same breed specific paranoia has ended with animal control again waltzing into someone's home and ruthlessly removing someone's beloved pet, falsely assuring the owners that nothing bad would happen to their Chow, Scruffy.

Within hours, Scruffy was dead and the same murderers responsible for the death are still demanding back fees, costs, etc.

Keep in mind that Scruffy's only offense was the urge to run. The dog never attacked anyone, never bit, attempted to bite, never bared teeth, never once acted as an aggressive dog.

I urge you to click on the video link below and hear the owner's story in her own words. Demand justice for Scruffy. Really, folks... this was WRONG. There must be some form of justice here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFkfGjYblM

Thank you,

~ Baileykix

Just got this notice in my inbox, thought I'd share it with you all here.

Marine Is Expelled From USMC For Animal Cruelty!   Today, in Honolulu, it was announced that Lance Cpl. David Motari is "being processed for separation" from the Marine Corps according to a USMC news release.   The 17-second video that was posted on YouTube in March was an instant topic of discussion.  The clip shows two Marines joking before Motari hurls the puppy into a rocky gully.  There was a yelping sound heard as the puppy helplessly flipped through the air.  Besides being expelled from the Marine Corp, Motari also received unspecified non-judicial punishment.   The YouTube video was played hundreds of thousands of times before YouTube took it off their site because of a violation of the site's terms of use.   "In honor of the millions of men and women who have worn the Marine uniform, I feel that the Marine Corps has followed through and done a great job in dismissing David Motari from service.  This should be an example that no one is above the law and everyone  has a moral duty to uphold and represent our great country.  It was you, the public, with your outrage who made this happen," replied Chris DeRose in response to hearing the news of Motari's dismissal.     The second Marine in the video, Sgt. Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion, also received unspecified non-judicial punishment.  "The actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated," Marine Corps Base Hawaii said in a news release.   To watch Chris DeRose's (LCA's President and Founder) initial reaction to the Motari video visit www.YouTube.com.     Here is David holding the puppy by the neck, and smiling, before he launches it over a cliff in Iraq.     For the Animals, Campaigns Department Last Chance for Animals