Pet Food Politics: The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine

Posted on Sep 29, 2008 By Tanya Turgeon

by Marion Nestle
University of California Press, 219 pages, $18.95

The story unfolds like a "CSI" script, starring cost-cutting Chinese manufacturer Xuzhou Anying, who exports the toxic ingredients melamine and cyanuric acid to American pet food maker Menu Foods. Menu Foods, in turn, unwittingly distributes the product under such brand name labels as Iams and Eukanuba, which ultimately end up in dog and cat food bowls across America. Add the FDA, scientists at Cornell Laboratories, and hundreds of victims, and you've got yourself a plot. If only it was fiction.

By May 23, 2007, more than a hundred brands of pet food were pulled from store shelves after thousands of dogs and cats died from kidney or renal failure. This would be the beginning of a consumer nightmare involving politics, government safety agencies, and international trade relations.
 
As a self-proclaimed food activist and Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Marion Nestle could not be a better advocate for pet parents and the American consumer. In her newest book, "Pet Food Politics," Nestle courageously attempts to make sense out of this largest pet food recall in American history. Charts, graphs, tables, timelines, and pages of notes attempt to simplify her research and reiterate her results, but are more effective as a visual reminder of just how daunting a task it is - especially when each of the dozens of companies involved are spread over continents and quick to point the finger at someone else.

More than a few of Nestle's findings are shocking: The FDA, responsible for the standards of most American food, does not have the authority to order a recall; it can only suggest one. Despite the globalization of food in this 21st century, the United States still follows safety standards set in the 1950s. The loss of life is appalling: In addition to the cats and dogs who died from tainted food, more animals were sacrificed as test subjects to figure out the problem; and in China on July 10, 2007 a Chinese food official linked to the case was actually put to death.

Thanks to media attention and Internet bloggers, news of the recall spread to all corners of the 50 states. Yet a year after the incident, this book continues to expose ongoing litigation and lesser-known ramifications, such as the potentially contaminated human food supply (apparently the discarded pet food was fed to livestock, a not-uncommon practice). Nestle concludes as only an optimist could, noting that the incident must serve as a catalyst for needed regulation reform not only in China, but here at home. But no matter how deep into the political she delves, Nestle never loses sight of the true victims: the dogs and cats who lost their lives, and the people who love them.

City Dog: A Novel

Posted on Sep 25, 2008 By Tanya Turgeon

by Alison Pace
The Berkeley Publishing Group, 288 pages, $14


Alison Pace's novel centers around Amy, whose life has not gone in the direction she had planned. She's divorced, childless, and still hasn't written her "Great American Novel." On the positive side, Amy's bubbly West Highland White Terrier, Carlie, provides an outlet for her maternal instincts and inspiration for her successful series of children's books.

Pace's easy language and attention to detail gently guide the reader through a familiar story of mixed blessings. New Yorkers in particular will feel right at home among the pages teeming with neighborhood nuances: Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, the 59th Street Bridge leading from Manhattan to Long Island City, the F train, Sarabeth's at the Whitney Museum, and an amusing moment when a frightened Upper East Sider gets lost in Union Square.

Even dogs will be able to relate, since Carlie monopolizes a few chapters to address the reader in first-person. After all, "The Westie, it is said, will not be ignored." Her perspective and opinions are enlightening and funny. In one encounter with an animal communicator, Carlie repeatedly asks for cream cheese - to which the communicator repeatedly replies with "kibbles." One can almost hear dogs everywhere collectively sighing in recognition of this common miscommunication experience.

In the vein of a personal memoir, Carlie's realistic influence on Amy's life reminds us that dogs are more than just pets. When days are dreary they can bring the only ray of sunshine. When times are lonely they are a giving companion. When creativity dries up, they freely play the muse. And when life gets off-track these faithful beings are more than willing to lead us home.

Let's Have a Dog Party! 20 Tail-Wagging Celebrations to Share with Your Best Friend

Posted on Sep 15, 2008 By Tanya Turgeon

by Ingrid E. Newkirk
Adams Media, 200 pages, $12.95

If you're stuck in a rut of rewarding your dog with the basic toy, treat, walk around the block, and scratch behind the ear then Ingrid E. Newkirk has got news for you. This book is Newkirk's collection of recipes, crafts, puzzles, jokes, games, websites, and practical tips (including health, safety, and training) to bring added joy to the life of any dog.

In fact she has gone so far beyond the standard definition of "party" that a better title would be "Handbook for Having a Happy Dog." Not only is alliteration always nice, but this more accurately describes the cornucopia of information, ideas, and stories that Newkirk unleashes on the reader. Like any good handbook, this should be read once thoroughly from cover to cover, then referred to over and over again.

And who knew the President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal rights organization often dealing with serious issues, could have such a sense of humor? Newkirk works her own witty recollections in among the dozens of experiences shared by owners of breeds ranging from Shih Tzus to Great Danes. Her banana-shaped Chihuahua/Fox Terrier Conchita (may she rest in peace) loved playing with a flapping sheet, while Ms. Bea, "a cross between a German Shepherd and a couch," loves spicy food, plastic baby dolls, barking, and boating.

From party themes to invitations to etiquette to gifts, this book covers it all and more. Speaking of gifts, the book itself would make the ideal party favor, stocking stuffer, or birthday present. In their individual ways, dogs bring a bit of party to our lives each and every day. This book will help return the favor.

Bliss to You: Trixie's Guide to a Happy Life

Posted on Sep 10, 2008 By Tanya Turgeon

by Trixie Koontz, dog, as told to Dean Koontz

Hyperion, 158 pages, $16.95

A lot of dog books rightfully conclude with the end of the dog's life, often leaving the reader with a pile of damp tissues. This one rejects such writing formulas by beginning with the end. Popular novelist Dean Koontz actually uses the foreword to recount the passing of his beloved Golden Retriever, Trixie, in typical heartbreaking fashion.

Just when it seems an extra box of tissues is in order, Trixie, trained by Canine Companions for Independence (www.caninecompanions.org) and author of Life is Good: Lessons in Joyful Living and Christmas is Good, takes over the narration in the introduction and reveals the end has been embraced as simply a new beginning.

From her new home "here on the Other Side, in company of angels who toss tennis balls for us and give us belly rubs," Trixie communicates a set of instructions (via Dean, who serves as both receiver of words and typist) for humans to achieve bliss. Her canine perceptions, interpretations, and language present a simplified road to happiness that no Homo Sapiens-penned inspirational title has ever achieved before.

Like all dogs (and many writers), Trixie's attention span can be erratic and she's easily distracted by the cookies that heaven readily offers. Her snack breaks are only one of many welcomed humorous tangents that interrupt moving sentiment to reiterate the most important lesson of all - living in the moment.

In selfless dog fashion, with no ulterior motive of reward or recognition (although she does make it apparent that a positive book review from the critics would not go unappreciated), Trixie reveals the golden treasure to bliss through Calm, Beauty, Fun, Wisdom, Meaning, Others, Humility, Loss, and Gratitude. No longer physically here to produce tail-wags or bestow kiss-licks, Trixie has creatively utilized writing as an alternative method to carry on doing what dogs do best - help their people find happiness.

Charlie Wilson's War

Posted on Sep 8, 2008 By Tanya Turgeon

by George Crile  

Grove Press, 550 pages, $14.95  

Thrust into the public spotlight by the film Charlie Wilson's War inspired, starring Tom Hanks, this book is a shocking revelation of previously covert historic events documented by former "60 Minutes" producer George Crile. The star of this nonfiction political saga is Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, the personification of an American cowboy with a bad-boy image. His passion for defending the underdog leads to the most expensive and productive CIA-backed war in history.

A dog doesn't quite seem to fit in amongst the spies, wealthy socialites, belly dancers, law-bending politicians, kings, mountain soldiers, and weaponry. Yet Crile reveals early on that the trigger point in Wilson's life occurred in 1946 with the horrible death of his childhood best friend, a dog named Teddy, who was poisoned by a local elected official. This event ignited in Wilson an enthusiasm for revenge so strong that it would later affect Afghanistan, the Soviet Union, Pakistan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States of America.  

Thirteen-year-old Charlie Wilson got even for Teddy's death in the most effective way he knew how. He prevented the re-election of the murderous official by driving voters to the polls and leaving them with this: "I don't want to influence your vote, but I'd like you to know that Charles Hazard poisoned my dog."

In the 1980s, as an elected official himself, Wilson partnered up with the CIA and a whole host of foreign political power players to support the Afghan freedom fighters in seeking revenge against Soviet Communist. Crile writes, "Thirty-six years later something about the mujahedeen's appeal to to stop the Soviet gunships brought back memories of his dog." Charlie Wilson's War will have a similar impact on the reader, as this freshly unveiled truth about Teddy the dog will be hard to forget.