Dog Travel Towel made from recycled wood chips $17.95 from Greenfeet.com

When my dog travels with me, she’s always be on the look out for exotic mudpuddles to lie down in or smelly ponds to dive into - having a towel that is not only fast-drying but also eco-friendly is just the thing to keep handy.

Measures: 20″ x 40″

Bird collisions with wind turbines not a serious problem

Many people are likely to believe, as I did until recently, that Wind energy is a great idea but too bad it is so terrible for the thousands or millions of birds who fly into the blades and get sliced up like a Cuisinart blender. One of those things you read somewhere and then never question. Apparently, except for a few situations most wind turbines are considered relatively safe for birds and bats. Far more birds die from your cat in the back yard, or from collisions with windows, cars, lighted communication towers, and pesticides to name a few.

Here are some good links for anyone wanting to get a more in depth discussion of this issue.
An article in Treehugger
A very comprehensive look at birds and wind energy from bird consultants to the wind power industry.
and advice from an expert, putting wind’s impact on birds in perspective.

Wholesome Harvest Organic Farming Coop - On Line shopping is available.

Wholesome Harvest is a group of 40 small family farms who sell top of the line certified organic meats. They are committed to environmental and organic principles that go well beyond USDA organic standards. They primarily offer meats for people but they do have a section on their website devoted to organic pet food meats, a variety of select organ meats.

One interesting feature of their website is that you can trace the actual family and photo whose farm has raised the meat from a number on the package. (Hopefully there won’t be too many people bugging the families with emails asking for the cow’s name and how she used to spend her day!)

They sold me on what they are doing with this quote;
“Wholesome Harvest is helping to connect farmers to consumers and offering an alternative to cruel factory farms, environmentally harmful feedlot-production methods, and the importation of meat from other countries. These practices are devastating to rural American communities. By purchasing Wholesome Harvest, customers can choose to support small family farms that practice the highest levels of environmental and animal stewardship.”

PAW CARE BALM in a 3 oz tin $18.00 at CyberCanine

Paw Care Balm is an all natural ointment perfect for minor cuts and sores. There website states their balm is made from organic herbs an coldpressed oil and aromatherapy grade essential oil. Not sure who the aromatherapy is intended for but in my case I know my dog likes it as stinky as possible! Me, I much prefer something a bit more herbal smelling.

CyberCanine has been making handmade organic and vegan canine healing and skin/fur care products since 1997. There are many other earth and animal friendly products available on their neatly designed site that are worth a look as well.

Organic BellyRubs, 10 oz. Box $6.99 from gooddogexpress.com

Certified Organic Dog cookies made from organic rolled oats, organic peanut butter, organic apples, organic bananas; and in our veggie blend: organic carrots, organic peas, and organic pumpkin.

Nature’s Variety Prairie Freeze Dried Raw Foods for Dogs and Cats
choice of Chicken+Turkey, Beef, Lamb, Venison
12 oz. packets for $21.00 or get a Variety Pack of 4 bags (1 bag of each flavor) for $79.90 at sitstay.com

With all the concern about wheat gluten contamination and the many doubts about the safety and healthiness of pet food from many major brands more and more people are considering springing for alternative foods. Some choose to cook their own food for their pets and others may consider looking at organic pet foods.

One brand that seems promising is Nature’s Variety Prairie which is
pre-ground freeze dried organic raw food for your dog or cat. Made with fresh raw meat and fresh raw ground bone. The Freeze dried process removes the moisture while still retaining the healthful benefits of raw food. You can reconstitute it with water or feed it dry. Great as a dry snack and as a training treat.

From SitStay’s website; “Nature’s Variety Freeze Dried foods are cold processed from meats and organs, freshly ground raw bone, fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nutritious oils, wild game bird eggs, natural vitamins, and chelated minerals. Each food is 95% meat, organs, and bones with a portion of these coming from certified organic sources. Unlike heat processed kibble and canned foods which have many nutritional components compromised during heat processing, these raw foods are naturally rich in easily assimilated vitamins and amino acids, beneficial antioxidants, natural digestive enzymes, probiotics, and are rich in essential fatty acids.”

Our feathered friends haven’t been getting enough attention here at great green pets. Hopefully we can soon rectify this matter. In the mean time perhaps we can munch on some organic bird foods and treats. organicuniverse.com offers a variety of organically grown bird foods such as Parrot and wild bird seed mix and Organic Finch Mix.

Vermont Soap Equine Magic Organic Horse Shampoo from Vermont Soap

Equine Magic is the first certified organic Horse Shampoo. Vermont Soap websites states that: “Specially formulated from certified organic vegetable oils and plant botanicals to leave your horse’s coat, mane and tail clean and glossy. Equine Magic is safe and nontoxic, and is made without artificial foaming boosters, synthetic preservatives, dyes or perfumes. Natural essential oils including tea tree and citriodora are added to repel insects and fungus infections.”

Since the latest recall by Menu Foods of many dog and cat wet foods due to toxicity in it’s wheat gluten many pet owners are upset and are now considering alternative, natural diets for their pets. Today, the New York Times has a great article on this concern The article talks about all the people rushing to find books on healthy pet nutrition and pet cookbooks for wholesome natural foods.

Perhaps, the best book to start with would be the highly acclaimed book.
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Ann Martin, December 2002 - 2nd edit. The author warn us that the pet food industry often puts outrageously foul ingredients into pet food to maximize profits. The FDA doesn’t really regulate the pet food industry instead compliance with the minimal regulations is voluntary. The list of ingredients permitted in pet food includes rendered road kill, euthanized pets from animal shelters and vet clinics, and other animal waste; processed poultry and cow feces collected from large agri-business operations; mercury-contaminated seafood which has been judged unfit for human consumption. They then give this a vaguely healthy sounding name, like animal by-products and the like.

Many times Veterinarians don’t question mainstream pet food company ingredients and diets as many veterinary students learn nutrition from elective classes influenced and paid for by pet food companies. The book also discusses issues about how pet food can be made at home using safe and human-quality ingredients, and she provides recipes and suggestions for supplements.

Another popular and great book is Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. This book is the definitive guide to a natural lifestyle for dogs and cats. Veterinarian Richard H. Pitcairn and his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn, noted specialists in chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets, show dog and cat owners how to provide the very best in companionship and lifelong care. the new edition now covers environmental matters, including pollutants both inside the home and out. They’ve updated dozens of recipes for delicious and healthful pet food and treats. With a guide to handling emergencies and an in-depth Quick Reference section, they give specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of animal diseases and disorders with special attention to homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional remedies. (from the publisher’s blurb on Amazon)

There are several cookbooks for dogs available that seem quite good, have colorful happy graphics and talk about how cooking your pets food is vastly healthier and more natural. This can certainly be true, but be careful, many pet food cookbooks writers are perhaps more interested in selling you their book than in giving you sound nutritional advice. One book’s recipe had onions, bullion cubes called for in the recipe (many dogs can have a bad reaction to onions and bullion can be way too salty)
I suggest that if you buy a book from Amazon to read the reviews first to see if there might be any red flags.

One excellent source of information is the Whole Dog Journal.com This month they have an article on Home-Prepared Dog Food that might be worthwhile read. It’s an actual magazine subscription but can also be read online and they have a free 14 day trial if you like it, for $20.00 you get the 13 issues of Whole Dog Journal, as well as continued complete access to Whole-Dog-Journal.com. To see if this be something that interests you, check out their free sample article on “How to Chose Dog Food”

Organic Cotton Quilted Car Seat Cover $68.00 at earthdoggy.com
My dog loves a good romp through mud puddles, rolling in a choice spot with just the right scent, and digging holes to “bury” her ball. When its time to head home she’ll leap up into the back seat with never a care about my nice upholstery - not her job! My dirty car seats would be much cleaner if I used this car seat cover from EarthDoggy. It not only protects the car seats but helps protect the earth by not using chemicals, it’s 100% organic, azo-free-dyed cotton. It has an adjustable quick-release straps that attach to the seat. Lightly padded. Machine Washable. Size 50″ x 54″. Available in tan and dove grey.