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Marshall County Humane Society News

Decoded labels on pet foods

You have to be living under a rock not to have heard of The DaVinci Code. Pet owners have their own inscrutable code to unscramble every time they shop for pet food. Here are a few hints to help you decode what labels are really saying.

If if says “lamb and rice” it actually contains lamb and rice. If it’s called something like “gourmet feast” or “mariners’ delight,” not naming an ingredient, it can be just about anything. If it says “beef flavored” instead of “beef” it probably doesn’t have real beef in it.

The list of ingredients tells the true story about what’s in the product no matter what it’s called. Ingredients are listed by weight from most to least. Most pet foods contain meal of some kind but pay attention to what kind. If it says “chicken meal” that’s good because it’s dehydrated chicken, but if it says “animal meal” watch out; that can be anything. Likewise beware of “animal fat” which The Whole Dog Journal calls “a euphemism for a low-quality, low-priced mix of fats of uncertain origin.”

Some vegetables and grains are good and make for a balanced diet but they should not be the main ingredients. Your pets need mainly animal proteins.

The real test for any pet food is your animal’s reaction to it. Usually the best foods are the most expensive; you’re paying for quality ingredients. But if that pricey food gives your pet hives it’s the wrong one. Finding the right one is worth it to have a healthy, alert animal with bright eyes and a shiny coat.

The Humane Society’s low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic is back to our usual Tuesday schedule. We hope Dr. Johnson got lots of R&R because we have plenty of work waiting for her. Call 662-252-6196 for your appointment.

Our thrift store, Second Time Around, is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Friday and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Saturday. Maria is constantly getting new donations so it’s worth checking in often to see what new bargains have appeared. All of the proceeds are used to help the Humane Society care for needy animals in our area so you can do some smart shopping and support a worthy cause at the same time.

For information on adoptions, fostering or about our Humane Society in general call 662-564-2900. Correspondence and donations should be sent to the Marshall County Humane Society, P.O. Box 625, Holly Springs, MS 38635.

Recipes from Martha Ruth Leonard
Southern Sideboards Junior League of Jackson
Florentines
1/4 cup whipping cream 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter 1 cup slice almonds (grind 1/2 cup in blender) 2 tbsps. flour	1/2 cup candied orange peel, chopped 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1/4 lb. semisweet chocolate, melted
Combine cream, sugar and butter in pan and cook, stirring until butter melts. Turn heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add all other ingredients except chocolate. Drop by tablespoons on greased and floured cookie sheets. Leave plenty of room between cookies, as they spread when baked. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly brown. Cool a minute or two. Remove to rack or wax paper. When completely cool, turn upside down and coat with melted chocolate. Makes about 25 cookies.
Eggplant Dip
1 large onion 2 cloves garlic 2 medium green peppers 1/2 cup olive oil 3 medium eggplants (8 cups, diced) 1-1/2 (10-oz.) cans Rotel, drained	1 tbsp. sugar 1/2 cup ketchup 1 tbsp. Worcestershire 2-1/2 tsp. salt 3 tbsps. dry white wine 2-1/2 oz. bottle small capers, drained
Peel onion and garlic. Remove seeds and tough white part of green peppers. Mince onion, garlic and green peppers. In a very large, heavy skillet, cook in olive oil over medium heat until onion is golden, stirring constantly. Peel and dice eggplants. Add to onion mixture and cook for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Add Rotel tomatoes, sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and wine; allow mixture to cook slowly until fairly thick and eggplant is tender. Cooking time is about 30-40 minutes or longer. Stir occasionally. Taste and add more salt if needed. Cool and add well-drained capers. Refrigerator or freeze until used. Yields 3 pints, making about 65-70 servings. Serve warm from a chafing dish or at room temperatureon toasted rye rounds.

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