Pepper the pup, a black part boxer/part lab, was found bouncing around a trailer park next to a Safeway parking lot.  Poor Pepper, according to the vet who examined him, encountered some sort of brain-injuring trama that stripped him of his vision.

Read more after the jump…

According to the USA Today, Teller County Regional Animal Shelter officials think that Pepper’s previous owners dumped him after the injury, “unwilling to deal with a damaged dog.”

“It’s astonishing. Even with all that’s happened to him, he’s a joyful guy,” said the volunteer shelter worker who agreed to take Pepper in.

READ MORE:  Click here to read the full article

There is something to be learned from Pepper the pup.  What might that be?

One thing’s for sure, after reading this article, I miss my Coconut, my pup.

Photo by Renate Kennedy

Sarah and I have long talked about going hiking with our dog Coconut.  So far, it has just been talk, as we’ve never actually followed through.  All of that may change, now that I’ve discovered Palos.

Palos, roughly 16,000 acres of woods, ravines, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and prairies, is located just minutes from downtown.  Discover it like I did by checking out Brotman’s article, located here.

Weekend Happenings

• Chicago Air and Water Show– The U.S. Air Force Thunderbird jet team will be once again headlining the 51st annual water show.  More than 2 million spectators are expected, so get to the beach early!  Oak Street Beachstro is offering viewing packages that include food and a cash bar.  Prices range $65-$165.  Details can be found here.
• Chicago Turkish World Festival– Sarah refers to me as “Hamburger and Spagetti,”as I rarely venture outside of the box.  However, the thought of Turkish Coffee makes me want to head on over to the Navy Pier right now!  This two-day event features an Ottoman-era marching band,m hand drawn calligraphy, and Whirling Dervishes.  Starts Saturday and Sunday, 10am.

Since Sarah and I adopted Coconut, our Labrador Shar Pei about a year and a half ago, we’ve fed her a combination of canned food from Evanger’s Dog Food of Wheeling, IL and dry food from Fromm, based out of Mequon, WI.  We chose products from these two companies because of their dedication to using only premium ingredients.  Their proximity to Chicago was a big plus, too!

It looks like we’re going to have to make a choice as of today!  Late last night, the Federal Drug Administration, which keeps tabs on veterinary practices, has pulled an invaluable license from Evanger’s.  According to the FDA, Evanger’s has failed to document important manufacturing business practices.

“The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.”

Botulism?  Ouch!  Looks like it’s time to find a new pet food.

Evanger’s response? Their CEO released a press release trying to spin the situation, by saying the problem is simply a paperwork oversight.  Other’s don’t seem to agree.

After being fed Evanger’s Pheasant dog food, which is one of Coconut’s favorites, Leslie’s Chihuahua became extremely ill.  “He was urinating constantly, vomiting bile, his eyes were sunken from dehydration, and he had horrible lethargy,” she said. “He wouldn’t get up and do anything. This is a Chihuahua who loved to play. One of my neighbor’s came over and said it looked liked Remy had aged ten years.”  (Source:  http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/06/fda_evangers02.html#ixzz0IdEUQ5Xd&D)

Any suggestions on what to replace Evanger’s with?