Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

OK, July 4th and Trump’s anti-Communist speech (Are we in the 1950s?) are over, but one celebration continues. Of course, if you don’t know it, July is National Hot Dog month, and we celebrated with an ample supply of one of my favorite bad dogs – split and grilled to well done, and delicious! Thank God we have three left over to continue our commemoration.

Dog food question

My wife has often told me that dogs should not eat dark chicken meat, only white breast meat. So last week I researched the issue. Here’s what I found from numerous sources:

• Dogs can safely eat dark meat chicken – like thighs and drumsticks – if it is thoroughly cooked, unseasoned, and served completely plain. Also, dark meat is highly nutrient-dense, offering extra iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
• Dark meat contains more fat than white meat. For overweight dogs or those with sensitive stomachs, the extra richness can lead to diarrhea or trigger pancreatitis.
• Dark meat comes from the muscles used for movement – primarily the legs, including drumsticks and thighs. It’s dark due to a protein, myoglobin, which stores oxygen in the muscles. This higher oxygen content gives the meat its rich color and helps those muscles power through activities like walking, standing, and ground-scratching.

Pet scam

The Federal Trade Commission reports that scammers are now stealing and manipulating pet images, videos, and using AI-generated deepfakes to help them trick you into giving them your money or personal information.

• Modus operandi 1: Scammers pose as law enforcement or an animal hospital, claiming to have your pet who’s had an emergency. They might have seen a flyer for a missing pet, or know from social media that you’re away from home. They might even use AI to create fake photos or videos of your pet in distress. But it’s all a lie. If someone says the only way to pay for your pet’s treatment is with a gift card, a payment app, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer service – it’s a scam
• MO 2: Scammers also impersonate real animal shelters and hospitals collecting donations for pets in need. They might create fake webpages and posts using stolen or AI-generated images of pets in need of forever homes. If someone asks you to donate, check ftc/gov/charity for advice on how to donate safely. Also, you can do a reverse image search to see if the images are stolen.
• MO 3: Scammers also tell you by phone, email, or text that you won a prize because you previously donated to help animals. The name of the prize or organization might sound real but it’s another lie. If you have to pay to collect a prize or sweepstakes winnings, you know it’s a scam.

Watermelon

Here’s a fresh way to cut a large watermelon:

• Cut it in half horizontally. Then place it cut side down.
• Cut it completely in slices across the melon.
• Cut it cross-wise perpendicularly across the melon.
• Pull out sections, and enjoy!

See my photos.

Now you know.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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