We all know that our pets love to eat human food whenever they get the chance, and while certain foods are actually good for their health, like blueberries and cantaloupe, some can make them very sick or even put their lives in danger. But why are there foods that we can eat that our four-legged friends can’t?
As Dr. Whitney Miller, chief veterinarian at Petco, says, humans evolved differently than cats and dogs, which means we developed different diets and ways of processing food. “From our gastrointestinal makeup to our teeth, we are designed to be omnivores with a rich and complex diet,” she says. “Additionally, our bodies can flush out many toxins that other animals do not have the capability to process.”
To discover some of the foods you likely have at home right now that aren’t safe for your pets, read through this helpful list.
Back in 1981, legendary actor James “Jimmy” Stewart, the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and other classics, went on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” to share his hobby: poetry. The piece that Stewart read was titled “I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau” about his golden retriever.
At first, the poem made Johnny and the audience laugh, but it had a very different effect in the end. Describing it can’t do it justice; it’s something you have to see — and feel — for yourself, so check out the video and read the text below.
He never came to me when I would call Unless I had a tennis ball, Or he felt like it, But mostly he didn’t come at all. When he was young He never learned to heel Or sit or stay, He did things his way. Discipline was not his bag But when you were with him things sure didn’t drag.
He’d dig up a rosebush just to spite me, And when I’d grab him, he’d turn and bite me. He bit lots of folks from day to day, The delivery boy was his favorite prey. The gas man wouldn’t read our meter, He said we owned a real man-eater. He set the house on fire But the story’s long to tell. Suffice it to say that he survived And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him, He was always first out the door. The Old One and I brought up the rear Because our bones were sore. He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on, What a beautiful pair they were! And if it was still light and the tourists were out, They created a bit of a stir. But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks And with a frown on his face look around. It was just to make sure that the Old One was there To follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house — I guess I’m the first to retire. And as I’d leave the room he’d look at me And get up from his place by the fire. He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs, And I’d give him one for a while. He would push it under the bed with his nose And I’d dig it out with a smile. But before very long he’d tire of the ball And be asleep in his corner in no time at all. And there were nights when I’d feel him climb up on our bed And lie between us, and I’d pat his head. And there were nights when I’d feel this stare And I’d wake up and he’d be sitting there And I’d reach out to stroke his hair. And sometimes I’d feel him sigh and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night And he would have this fear Of the dark, of life, of lots of things, And he’d be glad to have me near. And now he’s dead. And there are nights when I think I feel him Climb upon our bed and lie between us. And I pat his head. And there are nights when I think I feel that stare And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair, But he’s not there. Oh, how I wish that wasn’t so, I’ll always love a dog named Beau.
What Happened to Beau?
A book titled “Why We Love the Dogs We Do: How to Find the Dog That Matches Your Personality” published in 2000 contains some information on what happened to Beau, Stewart’s beloved dog. Sadly, the poem isn’t fiction. Wikipedia summarizes it:
“While shooting a movie in Arizona, Stewart received a phone call from Dr. Keagy, his veterinarian, who informed him that Beau was terminally ill, and that [Stewart’s wife] Gloria sought his permission to perform euthanasia. Stewart declined to give a reply over the phone, and told Keagy to ‘keep him alive and I’ll be there.’ Stewart requested several days’ leave, which allowed him to spend some time with Beau before granting the doctor permission to euthanize the sick dog. Following the procedure, Stewart sat in his car for 10 minutes to clear his eyes of tears. Stewart later remembered: ‘After [Beau] died there were a lot of nights when I was certain that I could feel him get into bed beside me and I would reach out and pat his head. The feeling was so real that I wrote a poem about it and how much it hurt to realize that he wasn’t going to be there any more.'”
Back in 1981, legendary actor James “Jimmy” Stewart, the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and too many other classics to list here, went on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” to share his hobby: poetry. The piece that Stewart read was titled “I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau” about his golden retriever.
At first, the poem made Johnny and the audience laugh, but it had a very different effect in the end. Describing it can’t do it justice; it’s something you have to see — and feel — for yourself, so check out the video and read the text below.
Adangerous Florida bill, misleadingly named the “Pet Protection Act” (S.B. 994 / H.B. 849), would nullify important reforms for animals.
Far from “protecting” companion animals, this bill would preempt new local retail sales bans for cats and dogs and stop local governments from enacting additional safeguards against puppy and kitten mills.
Commercial breeding mills prioritize profits over animals’ health and well-being. Pet stores are a common sales venue for puppies and kittens from these operations, and local efforts to ban such sales are an important tool in the fight to stop mill cruelty.
Please use the form below to send a message to your representative, urging them to oppose this harmful bill. Remember, personalizing your message will help it stand out.
For anyone facing their first Christmas without a special friend! This passage was written by Jerry Wayne Baldwin.
In addition to creating poems about our loveable furry friends that are enjoyed worldwide, Jerry also creates spirit filled devotional poems. A new book with devotional poems, called God’s Way in 60 Days, is in the works.
Heaven It’s my first day in heaven, And what a beautiful place, You’ll be glad to know, There’s a smile upon my face, The moment I left you, Two angels in white, Carried me up here, To heaven that night. All those stories you hear , About rainbow bridge are true, But you don’t walk over it, The angels carried me through, There’s a gate at the end, Made of pearl, It must be the biggest gate, In the whole world! Once I got in I started looking around, You just won’t believe, All the neat things I found! The first place they took me, Had to be the most fun, A humongous field, With miles and miles to run! Once I was tired the angels said, We’ll take you to your new home, But first we need to stop by this place Full of tasty bones, They told me to take one with me, But one is all I need, Because every good thing lasts forever, Up in heaven you see, They took me to my new house, It took my breath away, Most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, With a huge yard to play, They said come on lets go inside , And have a look around, They took me to the bottom floor, You won’t believe what I found, The floor of my house is a window And you won’t believe the view, See my house it sets right over yours, So I can still keep an eye on you! I was so worried about you, When I went away, Now I can watch you every second, And know that you are okay! So the next time you are missing me, This is what you do, Step outside and look straight up, Because I still have my eye on YOU!
