What is melamine? From WiseGeek.com:
Melamine resin is manufactured by mixing melamine with formaldehyde, and sometimes urea, under heat and pressure. The substances begin to polymerize and are forced into a mold which will create the desired shape. Under pressure, melamine releases water, which could make the plastic unstable if it is not removed. The materials finish polymerizing and create a finished product, melamine resin.”
Most people are aware of the pet food recalls in 2007 because of melamine contamination. (Melamine was used as an additive in moist pet food to increase the protein content. Many cats and dogs died of renal failure.) But what about the melamine dishes that our cats and dogs use? Health officials in Indonesia tested 62 pieces of melamine dishware manufacturer in China:
The head of the country’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency said that “30 of them released formaldehyde when used for anything hot, watery or acidic,” the Jakarta Globe reported.
OK. How about Korea?
In Korea, food scientists tested eight different brands of Chinese-made melamine dinnerware in January and February and found that 88 percent of the plates and bowls released formaldehyde when heated in a microwave.
Right. What about America?
Food scientists in the U.S. say that there are melamine products in which it’s safe to cook and serve, but because of inadequate labeling it’s almost impossible to tell the safe products from those that can release formaldehyde.
So, to recap:
A product that is manufactured with formaldehyde (and probably inadequately labeled), is used to serve our food on. What to do? In Dubai, the government launched a campaign to confiscate all melamine that do not comply with standards. In North America…nothing. Nada.
My suggestion? Toss all of your melamine dishes! (Unfortunately they are not recyclable.) Buy nice shiney (and easy to clean) stainless steel. Your pet will thank you.
Most of the information here came from an article by Andrew Schneider a Pultizer Prize winning investigative reporter.
What do you call a Lab’s dinner bowl made of papier maché? Food. 
What differentiates Dalmatians from other dogs is their shadow…
Photoshop Win!
It would seem, according to the journal Animal Behavior, that we and our dogs, are not born with the ability to understanding finger pointing. It must be learned. *sigh* From Nicole Dorey at the University of Florida:
“To determine the age at which domestic dogs first show the ability to understand human pointing cues, we tested puppies in their human caregivers’ homes when the puppies were 9–24 weeks old,” Dorey and her team wrote. “We found little evidence that puppies younger than 21 weeks had the ability to follow human pointing gestures.”
Which makes this classic Gary Larson carton even more pertinent. He knew!
I never get tired of this cartoon!
They travel together in an unmarked vehicle. The driver wears plain clothes and works with her associate named Bailey. Discretely entering the premises, they do their work and then quietly leave. This is Bailey. She is a specially trained Bedbug Dog working for K9 ScentSolutions in Squamish, BC. That’s right, Bailey sniffs out bedbugs for a living. (Someone has to do it!) Dogs that are trained as BedBug Dogs can differentiate between live bugs and adults and their eggs. According to the people at BedBugDog.com:
The “Nose” is cutting-edge technology and the latest trend in the home inspection industry. It’s the only inspection tool that can detect and pinpoint sources of bedbugs…
In the past few years, the bedbug has been making a come back. New York City had 6,889 infestations in 2007 compared with only 2 in 2002. And it’s not just in the sleazy motels. Prominent hotels and five star resorts that have been hit by the bug need companies that can scrupulously maintain their image. No showing up at the front door in a “Bob’s BedBug Extermination Service” van! Discretion is job #1. So, next time you check into a nice hotel, and see cute little dogs going in and out of different rooms…
If you would like to see Bailey work, click here.
UPDATE: I just came across this Bedbug Cake over at CakeWrecks! Couldn’t resist…it actually looks tasty.
you know it’s coming…
more Fail Dogs
Cat’s death sparks diplomatic “faux paw”
“Thatcher has died” was the message received on many Blackberries Tuesday night at a Gala in Toronto honoring Canada’s military. Cries of anguish could be heard from the many Conservatives attending who immediately started reminiscing about the glory days of The Iron Lady Thatcher’s government. However, when a quick thinking member of “Canada’s New Government”® called Buckingham Palace to confirm the passing, he was told, “Buck up old chap! Lady Thatcher is alive and well.” Curiouser and curiouser. About twenty minutes later, another message started circulating on the same Blackberries. Clarification. Canada’s Transportation Minister John Baird had texted someone in the room earlier that his cat “Lady Thatcher” had died. Case solved.
“Lady Thatcher” in better days
moar funny pictures
Sesame Street turns 40!
Barkley the Dog is one of the lessor known characters on Sesame Street. For some reason (and this is truly amazing for the dog lovers amongst us!) a large yellow bird and a blue monster became the stars of the show.
On Sesame Street, Barkley (who was originally called Woof Woof) is owned by Linda the Librarian who is deaf but can “sign” to Barkley. He was a major character until the late 1990’s, but is rarely seen these days. With the proper agent, he coulda been a star!
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