title: Buyer Beware: The Crimes, Lies and Truth about Pet Food
author:  Susan Thixton 
description: Just like so many pet parents, Susan learned the 'truth' about pet food the hard way. Suddenly at 8 years old, Sam - Susan's beloved dog, showed a tumor on her pelvic bone. The veterinarian gave Susan the worst news; bone cancer. She had two weeks to tell Sam good-bye. And then things got worse. Her veterinarian told Susan her dog's cancer was probably the result of chemical preservatives in her pet food; chemicals used to extend the shelf life of the dog food. A phone call to the pet food manufacturer (the leading dog food in the U.S. at the time) changed Susan's life. When asked what the 'shelf life' was for this popular dog food, the company told Susan "25 years". The pet food would remain 'fresh' for more than 17 years after Sam died. From this moment on Susan has educated herself on pet food. In 2005 she took her pet food knowledge online developing TruthaboutPetFood.com. In the few short years since developing the website, TruthaboutPetFood.com has a following of pet parents all over the world. Susan's pet food advocacy work has led to hundreds of radio and television interviews, public speaking including Western University of Health Science veterinary students, and even gotten her banned from attending pet food industry trade events (what exactly are they hiding?). Susan Thixton and a world of pet parents continue to fight for safe pet food. Visit TruthaboutPetFood.com and register for the free newsletter to stay updated.
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  #  Cookies & Catastrophe: The 2nd Chance Diner Mysteries (book 2)
  
  
  #
  
  
  #  By Beth Byers
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  #  Dedication
  
  
  
  
  
  For Carolyn and Angela.
  
  
  I love ya, ya punks!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And for Shawn
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  #  Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  It all started with the Zee—the crotchety, nasty friend who waited tables at
  my 2nd Chance Diner. She had an underlying level of kindness. Perhaps, she was
  a human cactus with a pulpy tender heart. But it was all her fault I got
  sucked into the mess. Pretty much.
  
  
  “We’ll be selling bags of cookies. The money will go to the no-kill shelter,
  Kitty Haven. Before you ask, they help dogs too.”
  
  
  Given that I was in love with my dog—helping dogs was a huge selling point. My
  first thought beyond the dogs was of Zee’s cats staring me down because I was
  pretty sure her cats had been plotting my death. I didn’t hate cats, but hers
  had me nervous. My next thought was of the legalities associated with random
  women donating and selling cookies throu