Chicken Jerky

Just finished packaging up my latest treat. It's the Chicken Jerky. It came out really well and my dogs went crazy over it! My dogs love the Beef Liver Jerky so I knew they would love this one too. I was right! You should have seen how they looked up at me for more! It was hilarious! It took a while to cook in the dehydrator but it was well worth it. Besides, it doesn't smell at all as bad as the Beef Liver Jerky!!!

When I decided to make this treat I had no idea that there was a serious controversy over chicken jerky! There has been reports of small dogs getting sick from store bought chicken jerky. Now before you panic, like I did, the key factor driving the recalls and concerns is the fact that the jerky is made in CHINA!!

It's crazy to me that anyone would buy treats made in China, especially after so much negativity this county has received after Americans were affected by so many imported items. Buying treats that aren't local really brings so many questions into play. Don't get me wrong, I like a good deal just as much as anyone, but imported food in general makes me nervous. And on top of that, animal foods and treats are NOT held to the same standard that human food is. So there are a lot concerns with imported treats.


One article in particular was really sad. It saddens me that animals have actually died because of this whole chicken jerky controversy, or that any human or animal would be adversely affected by something like this. It really does encourage consumers to shop locally (and I'm talking to myself here too). If all we bought was imported items, we are at the mercy of over sea regulations, all the way down to how their animals are stored and slaughtered for these items.

I don't know why this recall bothers me so much. Maybe it's because I know what it takes to make a quality chicken jerky? Maybe it's because I KNOW these pet tragedies could have been avoided? Or maybe it's just because I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose my Otto to something like this!? Regardless, this post was meant to promote my chicken jerky and it ended up being WAY more serious than I planned. All I know is I love dogs, and animals in general, and when our animals suffer because of cheap business decisions, it really makes me mad! SO... buy my treats (had to end on a lighter note lol)...

Oh and see you tonight at the Redlands Market Night~