Civet 'Cat' Dung Fuels Indonesia's Luxury Coffee

 

 

A Luwak is kept in a cage so that tourists can view the animal at the Abian Sari coffee plantation January 20, 2011 in Tapaksiring village, Bali, Indonesia. The Luwak coffee is known as the most expensive coffee in the world because of the way the beans are processed and the limited supply. 

 

Indonesia’s self-proclaimed “King of Luwak”, Gunawan Supriadi, is having a hard time keeping up with demand for the beans excreted by his stable of pampered civet “cats”. And he’s not alone.Demand for coffee brewed with beans plucked from the dung of the furry, weasel-like creatures — known locally as luwaks — is surging among well-healed connoisseurs around the world, exporters say.
About 40 civets at Supriadi’s plantation in West Lampung district, Sumatra, provide the intestinal machinery for his Raja Luwak (King of Luwak) brand of bean. Lampung is the undisputed capital of luwak coffee. “My target is to have 150 civets soon because I have to meet the surge in demand,” Supriadi said.
“In 2008, I gathered about 50 kilograms of luwak beans and sold them to local distributors. In 2009, I sold 300 kilograms. In 2010, I sold 1.2 tonnes.” The “golden droppings” of the luwak, or Asian palm civet, fetch up to $800 per kilogram (two pounds) in countries like the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
It’s another story altogether at retail level. Single cups of the world’s most expensive coffee have been known to sell for almost $100 in specialty outlets in London.
The civets play two roles. Firstly, they tend to choose the best berries to digest. Experts say wild civets are the most discerning, but their droppings are also the most difficult to harvest.
Having nibbled off the thin outer layer of fruit, the civets put their digestive juices to work. The enzymes penetrate the beans — usually arabica in Sumatra — and change their chemical balance in subtle ways.
The end product, after a good wash and light roasting, lacks the bitterness of ordinary coffee and has a unique, soft flavour. “If luwak coffee is a car, then it must be a Rolls-Royce,” Supriadi said.
Exporter Doni Irawan said his sales had grown 50 percent in the past year. “It has become the prima donna of coffee due to its high price and limited supply. It keeps gaining new, dedicated fans,” he said.
The tradition of luwak coffee stretches back hundreds of years to the time of Dutch rule in Indonesia. Banned from their colonial masters’ coffee crops, indigenous farmers took to collecting, cleaning and roasting undigested beans found in the forest-dwelling animals’ droppings.
The Southeast Asian archipelago of 240 million people is now the world’s main producer of luwak coffee, but the industry has really only flourished in recent years and official export figures are hard to find. Retailers said demand was also high among status-conscious members of Indonesia’s burgeoning middle class.
In a country where around 40 percent of the population earns less than $2 a day, luwak coffee sells for about $8 a cup in up-market shopping malls. “I never used to like coffee at all, but after trying luwak coffee my world changed. I became addicted,” Jakarta resident Galang Sulung Ramanda, 24, told AFP.
“I also drink it for its health benefits. I heard that it can prevent asthma, Parkinson’s, colon cancer and diabetes,” he said. The success of luwak coffee has given birth to a plethora of fake brands, which promise that special civet experience at half the usual price.
Not to be outdone, Vietnamese entrepreneurs say they have developed a way to chemically treat regular beans to produce the same luwak taste.
 

Pet Meds that Could Make Life Easier for your Furry Friends

Having an animal in your life can be a remarkably rewarding experience. When you take a dog or a cat into your home you are giving them a chance at a bright and loving future. But of course, you will get a lot out of this relationship as well.

There is nothing like walking in your front door and being greeted by a happy, slobbering puppy. Few things are more comforting than sitting on the couch and having your cat quietly crawl up into your lap.

But caring for an animal is a lot of hard work as well. Not only do you have to make sure that they are eating right, exercising and getting a lot of love and affection, but you have to do everything in your power to heal them when they are sick.

Animals get sick just like people do, but the problem is they can’t tell you their symptoms. That is why it is important to take your dog or cat straight to the vet whenever anything seems out of the ordinary. Here are a few pet medications that you might encounter the next time your special friend is feeling under the weather.

Novox (carpofen) Caplets

There are several different occasions when your veterinarian might prescribe your dog Novox caplets. For one, they might help to reduce pain after your dog has had orthopedic or soft tissue surgery. More commonly, however, your vet will recommend Novox for dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis.

Arthritis in dogs is becoming almost as common as it is in humans. Part of this is due to over-breeding, but the main reason is that because of advances in veterinary technology, dogs are simply living to an older age these days. This medication will help to reduce inflammation in the joints and can also help to reduce pain.

In many instances, your vet will recommend a glucosamine product in addition to anti-inflammatory medicine. The Novox will help to reduce pain at the moment, but the glucosamine will help prevent it from getting worse.

Cosequin Soft Chews

Human beings will often use a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help maintain full functionality in their joints. Veterinarians have now developed similar supplements designed specifically for dogs.

Cosequin is administered to provide cartilage support to pets who suffer from arthritis. Even if your dog doesn’t have arthritis, you can talk to your vet and see if a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement like Cosequin can help to prevent it from developing in the future.

Cosequin is convenient because you can administer the chewable tablet with food. The best way to get your pet to swallow it is to wrap it up in a piece of cheese and pretend you are giving them a special treat. Just make sure they swallow the medicine and don’t just eat the good stuff and spit out the pill.

Amitriptyline Tablets

It can be frightening when your cat starts exhibiting erratic behavior. Grooming is normal, but sometimes cats do it so excessively that they can hurt themselves. Other times you might catch them spraying urine around the house. And sometimes you can just tell that they are going through separation anxiety every time you walk out the door.

Cats go through mental problems just like human beings do. Amitriptyline is a drug that can treat many of these behavioral problems in your cat. Not only can it help to curb behavior issues, but your vet may also prescribe it to reduce chronic pain from a nerve injury or to treat inflammation from a urinary tract infection. As with any medication regiment, be sure to talk to your veterinarian first to see if these tablets are right for your cat.

Gabapentin Capsules and Tablets

The first time you see your pet go through a seizure can be a frightening experience. Living with an epileptic pet can also make you nervous all the time. What if you are at the dog park and your pup suffers a seizure? Will it freak out the other dogs and lead them to attack your pet?

Gabapentin is a medication that is designed to help control seizures in cats or dogs. Sometimes your vet may also prescribe this drug to reduce chronic pain from a recent surgery or due to arthritis. For seizure control, your vet will normally recommend that you administer the drug three times every day. However, if you are only using it for a pain reducer, then you might only have to give it to your dog or cat once or twice a day.

The responsibilities that come with having a pet are well worth the rewards. When you do everything in your power to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy, they will be sure to repay you with unconditional love for years to come.

There Are So Many Great Dog Life Vests On The Market Today

Spring is near! Warmer weather means enjoying the beautiful outdoors and water activities. For dog lovers who are lucky enough to own a boat or who are fortunate to be able to incorporate water with their active lifestyle, flotation life vests for us humans are a must. The same should apply for our four-legged family members. Some of the most common breeds such as Labs and Goldies were engineered to love the water, while other breeds like our two Shibas require a little persuasion. Regardless of what type of dog or dogs you own, if you love the water, your dogs will eventually love the water too.

Swimming comes natural for dogs - almost as natural as walking or running, and is a great form of exercise. Hydro-therapy has also been proven to greatly improve a dog's recovery from injury or anxiety, and you can't forget the resulting bond that is strengthened between you and your Pooch. Needless to say, the advantages of incorporating water into your dog's active lifestyle are well documented.

Your dog could be the Michael Phelps of the dog-swimming world, but you can never be too safe when it comes to water. Here are some suggestions : Never leave your dog unattended around water, and always have your dog wear a vest if you and your family are planning on enjoying the water for an extended period of time.

The properties and technology behind dog lover's favorite dog life vests such as the EzyDog Seadog Flotation Vest or the Kurgo Surf N Turf Life Vest are for the most part, similar. Quality construction incorporating high-buoyancy materials such as foam or rubber, water-repelling materials like neoprene or nylon, and multi-functioning features such as carry handles or D-Rings.

These flotation apparatus are also ergonomically designed to fit dogs of all sizes, and allow for full range of motion when walking, running, or swimming. It's easy to find the right size for your dog. Your Pooch is fitted correctly if the vest spans the entire length of the back from the base of neck to the base of the tail. The vest should also wrap completely around the chest and belly, or have at least three attachment points on the underside of the life vest, not only to keep your Pooch comfortable, but also to ensure a safe and secure attachment that prevents your Pooch from slipping through the jacket.

Dog life vests like the Doggles Flotation Jacket take it one step further by adding a flotation pillow that conveniently and securely attaches to the underside of your dog's neck, preventing your dog from dipping its head below the water surface.

If your pooch enjoys the water, keep them safe and get a dog life vest. There are great brands to choose from out there that are actually affordable, so finding one for your four-legged love one will be easy.

Best Dogs for families- Top 3 best dog breeds for families

How do you find a best dog breeds for your family? First, you should start with doing some research into all the different dog breeds that you like. You should research all the breeds that you like carefully and choose the one are very suitable to your family's lifestyle. A wonderful dog can teach children all about love, and growing up with your children together, your children will cherish for a life time. Here are a list of the top 3 best dog breeds for families.

Golden Retriever- Golden Retrievers are the one of the most popular family dog breeds in the United States. They are very gentle and always patient with the children. They are lovable, well mannered dog with a great charm. They are a friendly, and loyal dog. They are intelligent so that they are easy to train dog breeds. Their life expectancy are about 10-12 years.

Miniature Schnauzer- the Miniature Schnauzer is an loving, playful, and happy dog. They are very intelligent, devoted and affectionate. They are good with the children and can get along with other dogs and small pets. They are a good family companion pets. The miniature schnauzer is also a good dog for aprtment life. Their coat are also a good dog for apartment life. Their coat are also not hard to groom, it may need some care. Their life expectancy are about 15 years.

Labrador Retriever- labrador retriever is another great retriever does very well in any home. They also is one of the most popular dog breeds in United States. They are highly intelligent, loyal, affectionate and eager to please dogs. They are friendly, loving, and superb good with the children and also with other dogs and small pets. Labradors are very easy to train and obedience dog. The only negative thing about this dog is they can be a picky eater. Their life expectancy are about 10-12 years.

The all dog breeds above are generally as the best dog breeds for families, while there are always have an exception to the rules. Understand all dog breeds at www.dogbreeds-and-doggie.com

Does Your Family Really Want a Dog?

Look at that adorable little face! Can anything warm your heart as quickly and completely as the tiny soft body of a puppy... any puppy? Their little bodies nuzzle right up to you. Their little eyes melt your heart in a second. Who doesn't want a puppy? How wonderful they are; unconditional love, unlimited cuteness, too adorable for words.

This article was not intended to discourage you, but rather to help you prepare for this new addition and make sure this is the right decision for your family. There are several things to consider as your family discusses the possibility of getting a puppy.

1. The first thing is that every puppy becomes a dog within 1-2 years depending on the breed. You'll have up to 2 years of puppydom and up to another 13 or so years of adult dog. So don't think about how a puppy will affect the family. Think about how a DOG will affect the family; a much bigger, not quite so cute, likely not well-trained dog. So before you go looking for a puppy, spend some time with adult dogs of the breed you've chosen and see if you're still interested.

2. The second thing to consider is the expense of having a dog. Costs will vary depending on the size, the breed, and the health of the dog. There's the initial cost of your new pet. A truly responsible dog owner will NOT support puppy mills. Watch for future articles about puppy mills. It suffices to say that puppy mills exist only because people buy the puppies. No customers, no business, no more torturing and abusing dogs. So you'll either get your puppy from a reliable breeder or from a rescue shelter. There will be a cost associated regardless of which you choose. Most rescue shelters charge approximately $500 regardless of the breed. Rescue shelters are non-profit. This fee pays for food and vet bills to spay or neuter our furry friends. Occasionally dogs require surgery or other medical attention. You can see that this figure is by no means an absolute. The purchase price from a breeder will vary depending on the breed of dog and the breeder.

So many of the costs are dependent on the decisions you make. Will you use a dog crate for house training or when no one is home? What sources will you use for training; books, videos, training lessons, a combination of all three? Will you provide your pet with just a bowl on the floor or a water fountain which constantly circulates the water ensuring your dog has fresh water at all times. You could spend up to $2,000 in your first year for basic essentials; licence, collar, dog walking leash (perhaps a couple of different kinds), water bowl, food bowl, food, toys, dog bed, grooming equipment, dog crate, gates and fences for the yard, vet bills (puppies need check-ups, dental checks and vaccinations just like your children did), flea treatments, heart worm medication, some dogs require professional grooming every 6-8 weeks, any behaviour training supplies.

After the first year, depending on your dogs' health, you can expect to spend between $500 and $2,500 each year for basic maintenance; again this amount has a lot to do with the breed of dog you've chosen. This does not include additional carpet/furniture cleaning as a result of inevitable pet "accidents". There is also the cost of replacing "doggie chewed" items like children's toys, nic nacs, shoes, wallets, purses, pillows, bedding, and other items your dog naughtily entertained him/herself with. This also does not include medical emergencies like your dog eating chocolate, or aspirins, or other poisonous items, or any accidental injuries that may occur.

3. Next, examine your lifestyle. Dogs are incredibly social animals. Your dog, just like your children, will require large amounts of quality time. (No wonder people get their pets confused with their children. There are so many similarities.) It's irresponsible to bring a dog into your family and then leave him/her alone for 10 hours every day. Think about how many hours will your pooch be left alone each day? Remember to include after school or work activities like baseball, soccer, hockey, karate, ballet, tennis, overtime work hours, etc. in your "away" time.

How many people are in the family? What age are your children? Toddlers or smaller children may not be a good combination with a larger, more aggressive dog.

Puppies have little bladders and need to go out about every 1 to 2 hours; adult dogs at least 3 times a day. That's just a "potty" out.

Your dog will also need exercise. All dogs need exercise! Think in terms of 30 to 60 minutes each day for all dogs. Beyond that you need to take your specific pet into consideration for additional exercise needs. Ignoring this means that your dog will be bored and may start behaving badly. How much more exercise depends on the breed. Border Collies, Jack Russells, Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, English Springer Spaniels, Boxers, Irish Setters, and Huskies, typically herding dogs to name a few require at least an hour of vigorous exercise at least twice each day.

Many dogs require mental stimulation in addition to the physical. This is playtime and training time and it's equally important as physical exercise. Time... time... time. If you can't commit to this for your dog, you will want to consider a breed that is less demanding. Shih Tzus, Pugs, Poodles, Basset Hounds, and Beagles require much less of an exercise commitment. Will your children be able to help you walk the dog each day? Will they be able to handle a large dog or perhaps a smaller dog would be more suited to your family? Or perhaps this isn't the right time for a dog.

I cannot impress upon you enough how important it is to seriously consider these points before making a decision. Think of this as important a decision as having a baby. You can't "try it out and see if it works". If it doesn't "oh well" and do away with it. It's not fair to you or your family, and it's not fair to the dog. Perhaps you're reading this and logically thinking "She's right. I don't have the time, or the money." But still your heart is yearning for a dog. There is a solution. Offer to babysit someone else's dog while they go away on vacation. If that works out well, try fostering a dog. Fostering means that you will care for a "rescued" dog until a forever home can be found. Because this is a temporary situation, once your "charge" is placed, you can choose not to take any more, if you decide that having a dog is not the right thing for your family. This is a great way to "test the waters"; to see if your family is truly ready for the responsibility of having a dog. You'll learn a lot about training and how to deal with dogs and at the same time you are offering a tremendous service to our wonderful canine companions.

Remember to hug your dog today.

Puppy Mills - A Sad Reality

What are they? Wikipedia describes them in this way: "A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care."

Although accurate, it is an incredibly diplomatic way to describe the horrific conditions in which these dogs live. Correction, they don't live, they barely exist.

There are varying ideas of what exactly constitutes a "puppy mill". However, everyone will agree that the following is an accurate description and although extreme, an all too common a practice of puppy mills. Where to begin; there is so very much wrong with these places.

Puppy mills are run by people who breed dogs for profit. Now, there's nothing wrong with making money or even making a profit. The problem with these people is that they are beyond irresponsible and are actually cruel and negligent to these animals. Their greed is so intense that they will have anywhere from several dozen to hundreds of dogs and the health and welfare of the dogs is not just compromised, it's completely disregarded. From the first time a dog is able to get pregnant (as early as 6 months of age) she is bred to have puppies. Depending on the breed each female dog could have 2-4 litters every year. It's not healthy for them to do so, but these irresponsible millers will make every effort to capitalize on every breeding opportunity. They are interbred and bred with dogs that have health issues that will be passed on to the puppies. These female dogs will spend their entire lives pregnant. When they can no longer breed they are put to death; usually with a hammer to the head because euthanasia through a Veterinarian costs money.

Having so many dogs barking and yapping constantly is not in the millers' best interest. It could alert outsiders to the puppy mill site and is quite likely annoying to the millers who keep these poor animals in a tortured state. Many puppy mills "debark" some of the dogs. This requires that some of the vocal cords are clipped resulting in the bark becoming more of a whisper. That, in itself, is a controversial topic as scar tissue can develop in the dog's throat making it difficult for the dog to breathe. Personally I don't agree with this procedure at all. However, if this must be done, it is possible for a Veterinarian to do this through surgery using anaesthetics. A puppy mill, however, will not spend the money for this procedure. They perform it themselves by shoving a large, metal pipe down the dog's throat. Assuming they haven't killed the dog by missing, they will have ruptured the vocal cords. This is done with NO anaesthetics and I don't believe for a moment that it is pain free. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

They are only fed barely enough food to keep them alive. The quality of the food is substandard; the cheapest the millers can get away with. Often the food consists of what was swept up from the floor of dog food manufacturers. There is so little nutritional value in this food that the dogs' teeth rot at very early ages. The dog dishes are never cleaned and maggots are often present in the food. The water bowls never have clean water and often contain urine and feces from the crates stacked above. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

The dogs are kept in small cages, often too small for the dogs to move around. Often there are several dogs in on cage. If a fight takes place, there's nowhere to hide or get away from the attacker. There's no protection; and no medical attention afterwards. So open wounds are left open to get infected, and body parts that are bitten off or broken are left unattended.

Typically these are wire cages which are never cleaned, so the dogs have no choice but to sit in their own excrement causing their open wounds to be infected and often causing diseases. It's common for their paws to get stuck in the holes of the cages and their legs get badly cut or broken by the wire while they are on their own to free themselves. There is no protection; and no medical attention afterward.

The dogs are never removed from the cages, never free to roam about, never walk on the ground or the grass. They're never loved, or hugged, or petted, or brushed. Their coats are so badly matted they often need to be shaved right down to the skin. Severe matting causes very serious health issues; bacterial and fungal infections. Untreated mats become bigger and tighter. This pulls on the dogs' skin and is very painful. No air can get under the mat and any moisture can't dry. Shedding hair gets caught in the matting and ultimately rots. The dogs' skin becomes irritated and ulcerated. Fleas, ticks, and other parasites nest and breed in the dogs coat causing further skin infections. Severe matting is grounds for charges of animal cruelty. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

The dogs and their cages may or may not be sheltered in a garage or broken down barn, but they are not protected from extreme temperatures. Many dogs suffer from exposure as there is no heat to keep them warm so they have to endure freezing temperatures in the winter time. The heat is so intense in the summer that many of the already weakened dogs suffer from heat stroke, and some of the delicate puppies literally fry to their death on the hot wire cages. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

Because of the horrific conditions these dogs are forced to live in, the dogs end up with countless diseases which are passed on to their new litters. Some of the common conditions are hip dysplasia, kidney disease, respiratory disorders, eye problems (including retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and many others), deafness, heart disease, and many other serious health problems. It's common for puppy mill puppies to arrive in your home with fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, distemper, upper respiratory infections, mange, pneumonia, heartworm, and these just name a few. In a puppy mill there is no protection; and no medical attention.

When you buy a puppy, you may not be aware that it's from a puppy mill. You bring this adorable puppy home and you love him/her, and you play with him, and he/she very quickly owns your heart. A few months later your puppy get sick and you take him to the vet. Over the next few months you've spent thousands of dollars in an attempt to restore the health of your beloved new pet. Within too few months your beautiful new puppy has died because of a disease or genetic defect caused by the over breeding, inbreeding, and the unsanitary conditions at the puppy mill; and a part of your heart goes with him. Now you, too, have become a victim of the horrible, cruel conditions of the puppy mill.

How did that happen? How did you get a puppy mill puppy? You bought him from a reputable pet store. Or maybe you answered an ad in the paper, or bought him on kijiji or e-Bay. Or perhaps you were well aware, but you wanted to "rescue" this one puppy and believed you were doing the right thing. Unfortunately, by rescuing that one puppy you've supported and encouraged the entire puppy mill industry and confirmed to them that there is a market for them to continue torturing these animals. There is only one way to stop the greed of the puppy mill breeder. No customers. No customers equals no profits, and that's the only reason puppy mills exist. Most pet stores sell puppy mill dogs. Some know exactly where these puppies come from and lie about it, and others buy from a third party or broker and are lied to about it. Often the lineage papers are falsified to give the illusion of a pure bred dog. It is an educated guess that there are approximately 10,000 puppy mills in the United States alone. Because puppy mills try to stay in hiding, no one knows for certain. But it is estimated that 60 million puppies are born in puppy mills each year. This is much more than "just a problem". This is a catastrophe of pandemic proportions.

It would be fabulous to have enforceable government legislation to prevent puppy mills. That would help, but it will not eliminate them. There's only one thing that will truly put an end to them completely... an educated public. Only YOU have the power to truly stop them. Millions of dogs are put to sleep each year because of overcrowding. There is really no need to support puppy mills. There is an endless supply of good healthy dogs to adopt; many of them purebreds. Contact your local animal shelter or humane society. If you have your heart set on a puppy or a particular breed of pet, go to a legitimate, licensed breeder. You may have to wait a bit for the proper timing of the next litter, but it will absolutely be worth it. Legitimate breeders breed for the love of these animals; they are committed to improving the breed. Their dogs are well cared for, and the parents are screened for genetic diseases. To find a good breeder you can start by asking your local Veterinarian for a referral.

Here's a tip to ensuring you're dealing with a legitimate agency or breeder. A true, reliable breeder will never sell to a pet store. You will likely be asked to fill out an application and go through an interview process before you are given a dog. If someone just gives you a dog because you want one and have money; that should be a huge "red flag". Good breeders and shelters are interested in matching our canine friends with appropriate, responsible families that will treat the dog properly and give the dog a good home.

You should always be welcome to visit the home where your potential new dog was born and raised to date. If, for any reason, you are refused this request, you are likely dealing with a puppy mill. Don't get scammed by a puppy mill. Some ads over the internet or in the newspaper may offer "free to a good home" dog. Then they charge $300-$500 for shipping and possibly bogus medical attention (check-ups or shots for example). Don't fall for it! For more information about puppy mills visit the ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) http://www.aspca.org or the CFHS (Canadian Federation of Humane Societies) http://www.cfhs.ca.

So choose your pets wisely and remember to hug them today.