Hacienda de los Milagros

Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a  tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family.
 
Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden.  They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn’t acting lethargic in any way.

The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her  morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company’s website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.  Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that ‘It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it.’

This Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp 

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ‘Theobromine’. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.  They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already  occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs.  Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants.
New regulations, which don’t require the approval of Congress, would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews government scientists have been performing for 35 years, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.
The draft rules also would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats.
If approved, the changes would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1988. They would accomplish through regulations what conservative Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress: ending some environmental reviews that developers and other federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many projects.
The changes would apply to any project a federal agency would fund, build or authorize. Government wildlife experts currently perform tens of thousands of such reviews each year.

SUMMARY AS OF: 

4/26/2007–Passed House without amendment.    

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to: (1) prohibit the sale or transfer of any free-roaming horse or burro or its remains on U.S. public lands for consideration for processing into commercial products; and (2) repeal provisions permitting the sale of certain excess animals or their remains and excluding from criminal fine or imprisonment a person who processes or permits the processing of such animals’ remains.

House of Representatives from Arizona voted this way:

Nay

AZ-1

Renzi, Rick [R]

Nay

AZ-2

Franks, Trent [R]

Nay

AZ-3

Shadegg, John [R]

Aye

AZ-4

Pastor, Edward [D]

Aye

AZ-5

Mitchell, Harry [D]

Nay

AZ-6

Flake, Jeff [R]

Aye

AZ-7

Grijalva, Raul [D]

Aye

AZ-8

Giffords, Gabrielle [D]

Hacienda de Los Milagros Q & A Sheet

Q:  What’s the difference between a “burro,” a “donkey,” and an “ass?”

A:  “Burro” and “donkey” are two names for the same animal; here in the Southwest, we usually call them burros, but either is correct.  “Ass” is also correct, but is usually used to refer to various wild asses still roaming in some parts of the world. 

Q:  May I go in and pet the burros?

A:  Yes and no:  this is their home, not a petting zoo.  You may enter a pen if one of our staff is available to go with you and answer your questions.  If no one is available, please wait until one of us is able to accompany you.

Q:  How did these burros come to HDLM?

A:  A few came directly from the wild, via the adoption program administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).  Many were adopted and then, for varying reasons, the owners changed their minds.  Some came through the livestock auction, and some were brought here by owners no longer able to care for them, due to changes in the owners’ circumstances.  Over the years, 35 came from Death Valley National Park, where they were being evicted.

Q:  If someone has a horse or burro they can’t keep, can they bring it to HDLM?

A:  At present, we regret that we lack the room and resources to take in additional residents.  We can try to help an owner find other placements if possible.

Q:  I would like to help; what can I do?

A:  We need money to provide feed and care for the animals here.  Please donate whatever you can—and tell your friends about us!  

Q:  Is there more I can do, besides contribute money?

A:  As you can imagine, caring for so many large animals is a daunting task!  The residents at HDLM require care and feeding 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  There is plenty of work to go around, and if you would like to help, volunteer opportunities abound—please ask!

Q:  What if I just drop off hay and feed when I can; won’t that help?

A:  Not as much as you might think.  Our residents have particular nutritional needs, which we know how to meet.  The feed you bring may not be appropriate for them.  For instance, alfalfa hay is not good for burros, or for many horses.  We feed bermuda hay: if someone gives us alfalfa, we can’t use it.  The same is true for grain and many bag feeds.  If you would like to help by providing hay and feed, please ask first, to make sure your gift is something our animals can use.

Q:  How can I find out more about HDLM and ways to help the animals here?

A:  Please visit our website, below.  There, you can get more information, find out where to get merchandise, even how you or your group can sponsor a burro or a horse!

Thanks so much for your interest in Hacienda de Los Milagros, Home of the Miracles.  Please tell your friends, and come back to see us again!

Thank You for visiting our blog.  Due recent decisions by Foundations to withdraw their monetary support we have an urgent need for cash contributions. Yes, the economy slowdown has hurt the ability of Foundations to use their interest money to help rescue sanctuaries like Hacienda de los Milagros. 

Please visit our web site page for Contributions. Any amount will help us.

Thanks