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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
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Location: Kansas | so is Purina pro plan safe to feed? |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | oija - 2015-05-14 8:57 AM Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-14 8:47 AM star1218 - 2015-05-14 8:25 AM Guess I was mistaken. I will say though that I stand by this statement for my boxer. I wouldn't just give him a new kind of food every time I felt like it. Now my parents Heeler eats trees, rocks, rubber, animals, etc. etc. etc...whatever she can find. She's a dog I wouldn't probably think twice about dog food switch ups. There are dogs with sensitive systems for sure (my sister's border terrier has a meat protein allergy, of all things), but I would venture to say most can swap around cold turkey and never bat an eye. Or poop a juicy turd. And then turn around eat the juicy turd and want to lick your face.
Ha! For real. My dog is the worst about that.  |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 6:46 AM
Anyone know anything about the 4HEALTH line of dog and cat food? Thats what I use. My dog seems to be gradually getting healthier ( hes on the overweight edition, my cats on the normal version) But honestly. I never researched much dog/cat food ... I always just checked out the ingredients and if I didnt like what was in it, I didn't buy it.
ETA: well I looked up the rating. It's 4stars... not sure how happy I am that the one I have my older boy on is a 3 star rating though. Gonna switch dog food. Its worth another 5 bucks if he's healthy.
Â
That's what I use for dogs and cats. I use the grain free for the dogs. They love it and seem to be thriving on it. Glossy coats less waste and no nasty gas! |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | When we formulated and started making a premium dog food here on the west coast the inside look at what some manufacturers do and the ingredients that they use was very troubling. Many labels that read very similar to ours have very subtle differences that mean so much in the quality of the finished product. We manufacture in a family owned plant in El Paso Texas. Some of the ingredients that we use, like food grade stabilized rice bran, Redmond salt, and our coconut had never been used in a dog food before, and had to be specially sourced for our production. Since it is very hard to show these differences on the label, many dry dog foods can be very different in nutrition while looking remarkably similar when you read the label. I guess a person needs to do their homework in the best way that they can. But, even then, label information is purposely misleading by some manufacturers. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| winwillows - 2015-05-14 11:43 AM
When we formulated and started making a premium dog food here on the west coast the inside look at what some manufacturers do and the ingredients that they use was very troubling. Many labels that read very similar to ours have very subtle differences that mean so much in the quality of the finished product. We manufacture in a family owned plant in El Paso Texas. Some of the ingredients that we use, like food grade stabilized rice bran, Redmond salt, and our coconut had never been used in a dog food before, and had to be specially sourced for our production. Since it is very hard to show these differences on the label, many dry dog foods can be very different in nutrition while looking remarkably similar when you read the label. I guess a person needs to do their homework in the best way that they can. But, even then, label information is purposely misleading by some manufacturers.
What is the name of your dog food? I am so happy with RG for my horse, I would be interested in a similar product for my dogs. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | GLP - 2015-05-14 11:48 AM
winwillows - 2015-05-14 11:43 AM
When we formulated and started making a premium dog food here on the west coast the inside look at what some manufacturers do and the ingredients that they use was very troubling. Many labels that read very similar to ours have very subtle differences that mean so much in the quality of the finished product. We manufacture in a family owned plant in El Paso Texas. Some of the ingredients that we use, like food grade stabilized rice bran, Redmond salt, and our coconut had never been used in a dog food before, and had to be specially sourced for our production. Since it is very hard to show these differences on the label, many dry dog foods can be very different in nutrition while looking remarkably similar when you read the label. I guess a person needs to do their homework in the best way that they can. But, even then, label information is purposely misleading by some manufacturers.
What is the name of your dog food? I am so happy with RG for my horse, I would be interested in a similar product for my dogs.
Renew Gold Balance. It is a labor of love for a small independent company to get into that market. The world does not need another mediocre dog food. If you are not offering something better suited to its use, you need to not bother. Available on the West Coast and the Texas / Ok market at this time and doing well considering how hard it is to go against the big boys for store space. But, it is one flavor, one bag size, and all life stages so they don't need to bring in 10 different versions of the same food. Doing a true "all life stages" formulation that meets labeling requirements is a challenge that took a while to accomplish and be approved. We primarily designed it for dogs with skin and coat issues, and it handles those issues great. I did not mean to make a product ad, but rather point out how misleading labeling guarantees and ingredient lists can be. There are some really well made dog foods out there, but, I can tell you from experience that a true quality product is EXPENSIVE to make. Vague ingredients, or a subtle difference in what the definition of those ingredients means can greatly influence the quality of what is in the bag. |
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 Chicken Chick
Posts: 3562
Location: Texas | Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-14 8:47 AM
star1218 - 2015-05-14 8:25 AM Guess I was mistaken. I will say though that I stand by this statement for my boxer. I wouldn't just give him a new kind of food every time I felt like it. Now my parents Heeler eats trees, rocks, rubber, animals, etc. etc. etc...whatever she can find. She's a dog I wouldn't probably think twice about dog food switch ups. Â
 There are dogs with sensitive systems for sure (my sister's border terrier has a meat protein allergy, of all things), but I would venture to say most can swap around cold turkey and never bat an eye.  Or poop a juicy turd.
My Boxer can not have anything but his normal food. Any switch and he gets like explosive diarrhea, even a treat will screw his stomach up for a few days. Now my Doberman and Golden... even the cat. You could feed them a different food every night and it wouldn't phase them. Heck there is no telling what they eat on the side as it is... those 3 are just nasty little animals lol. |
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What Name?
Posts: 1994
| want2chase3 - 2015-05-14 9:07 AM americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 6:46 AM Anyone know anything about the 4HEALTH line of dog and cat food? Thats what I use. My dog seems to be gradually getting healthier ( hes on the overweight edition, my cats on the normal version) But honestly. I never researched much dog/cat food ... I always just checked out the ingredients and if I didnt like what was in it, I didn't buy it.
ETA: well I looked up the rating. It's 4stars... not sure how happy I am that the one I have my older boy on is a 3 star rating though. Gonna switch dog food. Its worth another 5 bucks if he's healthy.
That's what I use for dogs and cats. I use the grain free for the dogs. They love it and seem to be thriving on it. Glossy coats less waste and no nasty gas!
I actually talked to a TSC rep about it today. From what I understand, it's the TSCs version of BLUE. I mean.. all the ratings I've seen about it are pretty great. My dog INHALES it ( ha ha he could just be hungry cause hes on a diet. But he gets 1 .5 cups x2 daily. ) my cat loves hers too, I bought my soon to be home with me puppy some for when she gets her. They all have their own special formulated versions and they all seem to love the taste and I've noticed a significant difference in my old mans coat and he's gradually losing weight!
Anyone else use it 4 HEALTH dog food besides the two of us?? |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 3:12 PM want2chase3 - 2015-05-14 9:07 AM americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 6:46 AM Anyone know anything about the 4HEALTH line of dog and cat food? Thats what I use. My dog seems to be gradually getting healthier ( hes on the overweight edition, my cats on the normal version) But honestly. I never researched much dog/cat food ... I always just checked out the ingredients and if I didnt like what was in it, I didn't buy it.
ETA: well I looked up the rating. It's 4stars... not sure how happy I am that the one I have my older boy on is a 3 star rating though. Gonna switch dog food. Its worth another 5 bucks if he's healthy.
That's what I use for dogs and cats. I use the grain free for the dogs. They love it and seem to be thriving on it. Glossy coats less waste and no nasty gas!
Anyone else use it 4 HEALTH dog food besides the two of us??
I have fed 2-3 bags of this and my dogs seem to really like it. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | I feed 4 health and have had no issues. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Stitch4k9 - 2015-05-13 9:25 PM There are several independant, privately owned food companies. Many have their own facilities. These are the foods I look at. The owners entire income depends on their food. A recall can break them.
Canidae - All Life Stages is made in Brownwood TX at a company owned facility.
Hi-Tek - The owner has been in dog food for 40 plus years. Owns his own plant and evan grows a good portion of the barley they use.
Breakaway - Very limited distribution at this point. Owned by the same Vet who owns Great Life. They recently purchased their own plant.
Tuffy's - Pure Vita and Nutri Source. Family owned. Have their own plant.
Fromm - Fifth generation family owned and operated. Have their own plant.
Victor - TX company that is starting to gain distribution outside of the TX, LS area. Family owned and have their own plant.
Starting to see a trend here??
Please think twice about ordering from Chewy or any of the other automatic ship programs. Who owns these companies? Where is the food stored? How long does it sit in a hot UPS truck, etc., while making its way to your house.
Go to an independant store. They know their foods, they care about their customers and most of all they are on top of recalls and lawsuits all the time. Not to mention they are your friends and neighbors and the money you spend with them stays in the community. Want to fix the economy? Shop LOCAL!
Keep in mind you do not have to spend the most to get a good quality food that works for your dog.
As always guestions and comments are welcome. YOu may need to PM me as my schedule is a bit beyond crazy these days.
karen
Thanks for all the info.
You told me about the Hi-Tek dog food and after trying a bunch of high dollar food, this one worked for our dogs. I was buying it from our pet store about 25 miles away and then the distributor went out of business. I couldn't find it anywhere so I called Hi-Tek and they couldn't find anyone in my area so they told me to buy it from Chewy or I think Wag. It's the only way I can get it and I'm not going through another dog food hunt as I can't handle the runs 2 of our dogs got from some of the very high dollar food. |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 4:12 PM want2chase3 - 2015-05-14 9:07 AM americanpride08 - 2015-05-14 6:46 AM Anyone know anything about the 4HEALTH line of dog and cat food? Thats what I use. My dog seems to be gradually getting healthier ( hes on the overweight edition, my cats on the normal version) But honestly. I never researched much dog/cat food ... I always just checked out the ingredients and if I didnt like what was in it, I didn't buy it.
ETA: well I looked up the rating. It's 4stars... not sure how happy I am that the one I have my older boy on is a 3 star rating though. Gonna switch dog food. Its worth another 5 bucks if he's healthy.
That's what I use for dogs and cats. I use the grain free for the dogs. They love it and seem to be thriving on it. Glossy coats less waste and no nasty gas!
Anyone else use it 4 HEALTH dog food besides the two of us??
4 Health is made by Diamond. Just an IFY.
I would hope the TSC Rep would think twice about comparing it to Blue Buffalo. Currently that is not a very positive thing.
karen |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | Nevertooold - 2015-05-14 10:20 PM Stitch4k9 - 2015-05-13 9:25 PM There are several independant, privately owned food companies. Many have their own facilities. These are the foods I look at. The owners entire income depends on their food. A recall can break them.
Canidae - All Life Stages is made in Brownwood TX at a company owned facility.
Hi-Tek - The owner has been in dog food for 40 plus years. Owns his own plant and evan grows a good portion of the barley they use.
Breakaway - Very limited distribution at this point. Owned by the same Vet who owns Great Life. They recently purchased their own plant.
Tuffy's - Pure Vita and Nutri Source. Family owned. Have their own plant.
Fromm - Fifth generation family owned and operated. Have their own plant.
Victor - TX company that is starting to gain distribution outside of the TX, LS area. Family owned and have their own plant.
Starting to see a trend here??
Please think twice about ordering from Chewy or any of the other automatic ship programs. Who owns these companies? Where is the food stored? How long does it sit in a hot UPS truck, etc., while making its way to your house.
Go to an independant store. They know their foods, they care about their customers and most of all they are on top of recalls and lawsuits all the time. Not to mention they are your friends and neighbors and the money you spend with them stays in the community. Want to fix the economy? Shop LOCAL!
Keep in mind you do not have to spend the most to get a good quality food that works for your dog.
As always guestions and comments are welcome. YOu may need to PM me as my schedule is a bit beyond crazy these days.
karen Thanks for all the info.
You told me about the Hi-Tek dog food and after trying a bunch of high dollar food, this one worked for our dogs. I was buying it from our pet store about 25 miles away and then the distributor went out of business. I couldn't find it anywhere so I called Hi-Tek and they couldn't find anyone in my area so they told me to buy it from Chewy or I think Wag. It's the only way I can get it and I'm not going through another dog food hunt as I can't handle the runs 2 of our dogs got from some of the very high dollar food.
And I just saw the owner of Hi-Tek last weekend. They need to get a sales Rep in TX and get busy.
Glad to hear that the food is still working for you. And in your case I understand buying from the "Shipping" guys. Just hate to see what they are doing to the industry in general.
karen |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | winwillows - 2015-05-14 12:07 PM GLP - 2015-05-14 11:48 AM winwillows - 2015-05-14 11:43 AM When we formulated and started making a premium dog food here on the west coast the inside look at what some manufacturers do and the ingredients that they use was very troubling. Many labels that read very similar to ours have very subtle differences that mean so much in the quality of the finished product. We manufacture in a family owned plant in El Paso Texas. Some of the ingredients that we use, like food grade stabilized rice bran, Redmond salt, and our coconut had never been used in a dog food before, and had to be specially sourced for our production. Since it is very hard to show these differences on the label, many dry dog foods can be very different in nutrition while looking remarkably similar when you read the label. I guess a person needs to do their homework in the best way that they can. But, even then, label information is purposely misleading by some manufacturers. What is the name of your dog food? I am so happy with RG for my horse, I would be interested in a similar product for my dogs. Renew Gold Balance. It is a labor of love for a small independent company to get into that market. The world does not need another mediocre dog food. If you are not offering something better suited to its use, you need to not bother. Available on the West Coast and the Texas / Ok market at this time and doing well considering how hard it is to go against the big boys for store space. But, it is one flavor, one bag size, and all life stages so they don't need to bring in 10 different versions of the same food. Doing a true "all life stages" formulation that meets labeling requirements is a challenge that took a while to accomplish and be approved. We primarily designed it for dogs with skin and coat issues, and it handles those issues great. I did not mean to make a product ad, but rather point out how misleading labeling guarantees and ingredient lists can be. There are some really well made dog foods out there, but, I can tell you from experience that a true quality product is EXPENSIVE to make. Vague ingredients, or a subtle difference in what the definition of those ingredients means can greatly influence the quality of what is in the bag.
If you decide to look for a distributor in the CO market let me know. We have a couple of Great Independant distributors who know their stuff. And we have a ton of good independant stores.
PM me if you want contact info.
karen |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | astreakinchic - 2015-05-14 7:17 AM Stitch4k9 - 2015-05-13 10:03 PM astreakinchic - 2015-05-13 12:39 PM Dog food prices make me soooooo angry. I wish some new company would come in and re-define good food and price standards. What do you believe dog food should cost? Serious question.
Factor in the initial science and research to bring a new product to market. Sourcing good quality ingredients. Where and who will be making the kibble. New plants are running 50 mil minimum to build. Bags, transportation, etc..
There are some great companies out there with great foods. Why do we need to re define that?
I am seriously interested. Spending 24/7 in the industry it is refreashing to here a consumers point of view.
karen I want quality feed for less than my horse feed. Sorry I love my dog but I'm not spending more on her dog food than I pay for my horses or myself in a month. I'd like a middles of the road quality feed with a decent price that the average person can afford. I'd never let my dog touch alpo. I make sure the first ingredient on what she gets isn't corn. Hopefully no corn at all. But more often than not she gets pedigree because its quick and easy to pick up. *sigh* I'll admit most of the time she eats mcDs with me headed to ride. Shame shame I know... I've had a lab who lived to be 14yrs old, a hound/heeler mix that we had to put down at 15yrs old. I just feel like these are average life expectancies and they were fed the cheapest thing at the feed store. No aliments and no issues with their cheap feed. It may have contributed to their arthritis though. I now try to buy better feed for my aussie but that doesn't happen it always happens.
PLEASE stop feeding Pedigree. It has red dye. Red dye is illegal in human products for a reason.
Keep in mind that a cleaner food, (no corn, or wheat) is going to cost less per serving. You can feed your dog for less than your horse if you ad the cost of hay in there. My old Red Aussie ate a lot of "road food" as well. And he lived to 16.5. I fully believe genetics played a hugh part in that. Diamond Nautral is available at many places. You might try it. It is darn sure cheaper than McD's.
karen
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| winwillows - 2015-05-14 12:07 PM
GLP - 2015-05-14 11:48 AM
winwillows - 2015-05-14 11:43 AM
When we formulated and started making a premium dog food here on the west coast the inside look at what some manufacturers do and the ingredients that they use was very troubling. Many labels that read very similar to ours have very subtle differences that mean so much in the quality of the finished product. We manufacture in a family owned plant in El Paso Texas. Some of the ingredients that we use, like food grade stabilized rice bran, Redmond salt, and our coconut had never been used in a dog food before, and had to be specially sourced for our production. Since it is very hard to show these differences on the label, many dry dog foods can be very different in nutrition while looking remarkably similar when you read the label. I guess a person needs to do their homework in the best way that they can. But, even then, label information is purposely misleading by some manufacturers.
What is the name of your dog food? I am so happy with RG for my horse, I would be interested in a similar product for my dogs.
Renew Gold Balance. It is a labor of love for a small independent company to get into that market. The world does not need another mediocre dog food. If you are not offering something better suited to its use, you need to not bother. Available on the West Coast and the Texas / Ok market at this time and doing well considering how hard it is to go against the big boys for store space. But, it is one flavor, one bag size, and all life stages so they don't need to bring in 10 different versions of the same food. Doing a true "all life stages" formulation that meets labeling requirements is a challenge that took a while to accomplish and be approved. We primarily designed it for dogs with skin and coat issues, and it handles those issues great. I did not mean to make a product ad, but rather point out how misleading labeling guarantees and ingredient lists can be. There are some really well made dog foods out there, but, I can tell you from experience that a true quality product is EXPENSIVE to make. Vague ingredients, or a subtle difference in what the definition of those ingredients means can greatly influence the quality of what is in the bag.
Does TSC also carry the dog food? |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | I feed Purina One and my dogs look and feel great. Dog food propaganda is an industry in itself just like the auto industry where they try to convince you foreign made cars last longer and get better mileage. It's all balanced by whoever has the most money to put out phoney studies and charts to further their agenda.
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Stitch4k9 - 2015-05-15 12:20 AM
astreakinchic - 2015-05-14 7:17 AM Stitch4k9 - 2015-05-13 10:03 PM astreakinchic - 2015-05-13 12:39 PM Dog food prices make me soooooo angry. I wish some new company would come in and re-define good food and price standards. Â What do you believe dog food should cost? Â Serious question.
Factor in the initial science and research to bring a new product to market. Â Sourcing good quality ingredients. Â Where and who will be making the kibble. Â New plants are running 50 mil minimum to build. Â Bags, transportation, etc..
There are some great companies out there with great foods. Â Why do we need to re define that?
I am seriously interested. Â Spending 24/7 in the industry it is refreashing to here a consumers point of view.
karen I want quality feed for less than my horse feed. Sorry I love my dog but I'm not spending more on her dog food than I pay for my horses or myself in a month. I'd like a middles of the road quality feed with a decent price that the average person can afford. I'd never let my dog touch alpo. I make sure the first ingredient on what she gets isn't corn. Hopefully no corn at all. But more often than not she gets pedigree because its quick and easy to pick up. *sigh* I'll admit most of the time she eats mcDs with me headed to ride. Shame shame I know... I've had a lab who lived to be 14yrs old, a hound/heeler mix that we had to put down at 15yrs old. I just feel like these are average life expectancies and they were fed the cheapest thing at the feed store. No aliments and no issues with their cheap feed. It may have contributed to their arthritis though. I now try to buy better feed for my aussie but that doesn't happen it always happens.
Keep in mind that a cleaner food, (no corn, or wheat) is going to cost less per serving. Â You can feed your dog for less than your horse if you ad the cost of hay in there. Â My old Red Aussie ate a lot of "road food" as well. Â And he lived to 16.5. Â I fully believe genetics played a hugh part in that. Â Diamond Nautral is available at many places. Â You might try it. Â It is darn sure cheaper than McD's.
karenÂ
Thank you for your recommendation! I"ll check out Diamond.
No McDs isn't cheap but she only eats when she's with me. So if I don't get her food when I'm not at work so she can eat it, she refuses to eat. Often this means she eats what I do unless I pack her food for her. I know I know bad bad bad but sometimes I'm just not that organized. I swear I'm not crazy she really only eats in my presence and will literally starve herself.
I do have a question though, just curious not a smart elect I swear! I have a good friend who is allergic to dye's and specifically red dye she is most allergic to. She cannot have soda, cake icing, everything must be plain. I thought red dye was a normal ingredient in a lot of common foods?
Edited by astreakinchic 2015-05-15 7:48 AM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Frodo - 2015-05-15 7:37 AM I feed Purina One and my dogs look and feel great. Dog food propaganda is an industry in itself just like the auto industry where they try to convince you foreign made cars last longer and get better mileage. It's all balanced by whoever has the most money to put out phoney studies and charts to further their agenda.
I also feed Purina One.. used to feed Taste of the Wild but that became expensive quickly with three dogs in the house.
My dogs are doing well and no longer have the horrid gas that came with TOTW, js.... |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| barrelracr131 - 2015-05-15 7:55 AM Frodo - 2015-05-15 7:37 AM I feed Purina One and my dogs look and feel great. Dog food propaganda is an industry in itself just like the auto industry where they try to convince you foreign made cars last longer and get better mileage. It's all balanced by whoever has the most money to put out phoney studies and charts to further their agenda.
I also feed Purina One.. used to feed Taste of the Wild but that became expensive quickly with three dogs in the house.
My dogs are doing well and no longer have the horrid gas that came with TOTW, js....
I feed Purina Salmon Sensitive Skin and Stomach- the only food I have found that keeps my lab from getting hot spots. I feed it to all 6 of my dogs now. |
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