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November 28, 2012

Apparently owners don’t just look like their dogs, they share personality traits as well. Although the same probably can’t be said of cats, it’s easy to see why both furry friends make great pets. This pet blog is all about celebrating cats and dogs, whether they are playing with their favourite squeaky pet toy or hoping for a treat.

Looking after a pet doesn’t come without its challenges though, so make sure you surf on over to cats-dogs.co.uk. Health and behaviour issues, pet insurance, guides to different breeds of dog or cat, even the latest dog fashion news, we’ve got it all covered!

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Britain is a nation of dog lovers, and responsible owners want only the best for their pooches in terms of nutrition. One of the leading names in this fiercely competitive market is Eukanuba, considered by many to be ‘the’ premium brand. In a great new advertising campaign, they have revealed that Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton CBE is their new ambassador, who is just one of the thousands who feeds their dogs Eukanuba as they really care about what their dogs eat.

After dedicating her life to cycling for over 14 years, and reaping the best rewards possible for that dedication, Victoria has retired from competition and now devotes her time to both her family, and her beloved Dobermans Mr Jonty and Stella. As a champion, she knows only too well the importance of nutrition, and how you cannot cut corners and expect the same results. She has also applied this ethos to her dogs, and has fed them Eukanuba since they were pups.

In a video available to view online, Victoria reveals that one of her happiest memories was when the dogs came into her life 2 years ago, and have established themselves as one of the most important things in her world. It is a frank and candid interview with one of the best Olympians this country has ever produced, but despite her collection of medals and titles, what comes across most is her love for her dogs.

In her role as Eukanuba ambassador Victoria visited Crufts, the biggest and best celebration in the world when it comes to dogs. If you haven’t already seen the videos of Victoria and Mr Jonty and Stella, head off to http://www.youtube.com/user/EukanubaEurope  or http://www.facebook.com/EukanubaUK  to see a whole new side of this remarkable athlete and how her life is still as full as ever thanks to her two dogs.

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Eden Project has a dogs weekend on 18th-19th May

Eden Project has a dogs weekend on 18th-19th May

The Eden Project are inviting dog lovers to bring along their pets for the first time on the weekend of the 18th-19th May. Before now, only registered assistance dogs have been granted access but following popular demand from visitors, they have decided, for one weekend only, to relax the rules.

The dogs will now be able to enjoy the many miles of paths that run around the former china clay quarry, but will not be allowed to enter the Biomes or other areas that are undercover. There will also be some other special activities on offer, which include a display by a dog handler from the police.

Ian Williams in the Operations Director at the Eden Project, and he has said that this dog weekend at Eden will be a great opportunity for responsible people to bring along their dogs and enjoy the beautiful, wide open spaces there are on offer there.

“Research has shown that the South West of England is equal top in the country (along with the North East) when it comes to dog ownership and we know that a quarter of all visitors who come to Cornwall bring their dog with them – that’s more than one million people a year.

“Dogs are part of the family and this weekend (May 18 and 19) is a time when owners will be able to come to Eden and for no extra charge bring their dogs in for the first time.”

Eden has always endeavoured to be dog friendly by providing shaded parking shelters in four car parks. The shelters in Orange car park have a water tap, and stewards supply water to the other three car parks, Melon, Cherry and Lemon.

Ian Williams added: “Lots of visitors have asked us if we would consider letting dogs in. We will see how Dog Weekend at Eden goes and how it is well received by dog owners and general visitors and will then make a call on whether we have more dog days in the future.”

Dog litter bins and drinking water will be provided on May 18 and 19. Eden is confident dogs will behave but is applying a few ground rules for owners.

Dogs should be:

  • Kept on a lead at all times.
  • With their handlers at all times.
  • Only be walked on paths.
  • Kept away from play areas.
  • Not taken into buildings other than through the Visitor Centre.

 

 

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Dog friendly breaks that will appeal to all

Dog friendly breaks that will appeal to all

Dog lovers never feel more guilty than when a holiday is approaching, even though you have been working really hard and have been looking forward to a very well deserved break for several months. You are excited to be packing and thinking of all the things you will see and do when you catch the look your puzzled pet is giving you, and to make matters worse as you are getting ready to leave they nuzzle up to you giving you that look that breaks your heart.

But help is at hand you no longer have to paws for thought if you want to take your pooch on holiday – Holgates Bay View Caravan Park offers perfect pampering for people and pets alike.

Holidaying at Bay View Caravan Park offers a great outlet for the entire family, including the family pet to come together and enjoy the best of the great British outdoors. Bay View couldn’t be better placed for that blissful doggie break. The site is located on the edge of two National Parks, with a stunning array of walks right from the door, there are glorious beaches, vast swathes of open countryside, dappled woodlands, huge forests and the high fells all perfect terrain for walkies, so staying with your pooch couldn’t be any more simples…

Our pet friendly accommodation comes with all the comforts you’d expect from a Holgates holiday home, allowing you and your dog to enjoy your holiday in style – Each modern, 12ft-wide caravan sleeps up to six people and can be reserved for weeks and short breaks throughout the park’s year round season. Our modern 12ft-wide holiday homes offer fully furnished comfortable accommodation for up to 6 persons (1 double room and 2 twin rooms).

At Bay View a pet holiday really couldn’t be easier; you get to bring the pooch along, he gets to sniff out new surroundings and get some exercise dragging you along behind him on the lead…it’s the ideal holiday. And think of the kennel costs you’ll save too, which you can then spend on your perfect pooch-friendly pitch.

Bay View is the perfect place to explore the beauty of the coastline and the majesty of the nearby Lake District and Forest of Bowland. There are heaps of walkies close to hand and lots of friendly country inns along the way, many replete with obligatory roaring firesides in front of which owners and pooches alike can settle down and enjoy the warmth, sample a bite and a pint after a day in the great outdoors.

Bay View offers accommodation 52 weeks of the year including; a number of modern luxurious pet friendly holiday homes, with prices starting from £199 for a week long break or £132 for a mid week / weekend break. Please note there is an additional charge of £35 per dog per week, with a limit of one dog per property.

For further information about Bay View, Bolton-le-Sands, the fees, sister sites and visiting the area please log onto www.holgates.co.uk or call 01524 701508 or e-mail info@holgates.co.uk

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2To your pet, your home is like their castle which must be protected. You may always notice a certain amount of rivalry and competition between your pets as this is ultimately a natural part of their development and instincts. However, with a bit of hard work and more importantly patience, harmony in your home can be restored after introducing a new animal to the brood. Much of this advice only applies to dogs and cats as smaller animals will have their own cage, tank or pen to live in.

 

 

Think things through

Before adding another pet to your home, you should be certain that you can definitely provide for a new addition. Food and insurance all add up over time. Where will your pets go when you go on holiday? Do you have enough room in your room? Don’t let your existing pets suffer because of lack of judgement. If you are on a budget, multi pet insurance can save you time and money.

Introducing a new pet

Remember that cats are territorial, proud creatures that will usually respond to change less kindly than a dog. Don’t restrict a cat’s room, let it hide or run to another room if it wants to so it can adjust to the changes at its own speed. It is important to undertake a trial visit before you take on full responsibility of a dog or cat to make sure that it won’t chase or bite your other pets.

Some people install a baby gate in the house to stop the dog from roaming upstairs. This will allow your cat to retain its own area and will help to gradually introduce them to a new dog in the house. Never try to force an introduction.

Background check

If you are adopting your new pet from a shelter or a friend, a thorough background check regarding its behaviour, health and past will help you to assess if it will pose a problem in your home. If its history is unknown, take the dog out for a few walks to establish its behaviour and always be wary of an older dog which displays first signs of aggression.

Age

If you know that your dog or cat is easily threatened by other animals, you may want to consider adopting a puppy or kitten rather than a fully grown pet. Kittens are fearless creatures that will easily go up to a fully grown dog without a fuss and puppy will appear to be less of a threat to a dog or a cat both in size and age. However, you should only introduce a younger pet if you know that they will not be harmed by an older animal. If you have a young baby or child, it is recommended that you adopt a kitten or puppy rather than an adult animal that is less predictable.

Rules

Establish a rota and set of rules with the family to establish who feeds which pet at what time, which family member will walk the dog on which day and which areas of the house the dog is allowed to roam around in. This will ensure that all your pets are fed adequately and consistently and that responsibility for their care is shared equally.

Reactions

Think of the changes from the pet’s perspective. Little details like placing a cat’s litter box out of a dogs feeding area can maintain a harmonious atmosphere. Remember to give each pet its own separate amount of attention and to give them treats and cuddles to reassure them that they are still appreciated and loved.

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The Nation’s Deepest, Darkest Secrets revealed to the Dog

+ 65 per cent of Brits confide in their canine friend instead of their partner
+ Nine in ten dog owners have disclosed a personal secret with their pet

Slipping slightly into the strange but true category, according to a new study* from well known  Pet Insurance providers  Churchill has disclosed that a pretty astonishing sixty five per cent of dog owners are more likely to turn to their other ‘best friend’ to reveal their innermost secrets rather than talk to their less receptive human partner.

In fact, 75% of dog owners choose to share their most personal secrets with their pet either before of or instead of a human family member, friend or loved one. Almost nine in ten dog owners (87 per cent) has at some point shared a personal secret with their pet.

Secrets relating to the often tricky subject of personal relationships are the top subject for sharing, with almost half (49 per cent) admitting to talking solely to their dog on the subject. The second most popular subject to talk about is health (24 per cent), followed by finance/money (14 per cent) and work worries (13 per cent).

When asked why they told their secrets to their pet dog instead of a person, 50 per cent cited the non judgmental nature of the animal, stating that their pet “will love me whatever”. This was closely followed by “(my dog) will listen and not judge” (49 per cent).

One pet owner revealed, “My dog, Kooks, was there when I found out I was pregnant (twice). When I went into labour and the contractions began he worried just as much as us.”

Peter Bishenden, head of pet insurance at Churchill, comments, “The most overwhelming reason for telling your pet your secrets is because your pet will still love you. The fact our pets give love unconditionally seems to have led to them being the perfect counsellor, along with their inability to relay any secrets!”

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara comments, “It’s no great surprise that so many Briton’s turn to their pets as a shoulder to cry on or an ear to confess to. They don’t judge, they don’t tell tales and they seem to always be ready with the right response. Further evidence as to why man’s best friend earned his title.”

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One man got the surprise of his life when he forked out hundreds of pounds for toy poodles only to find out later at the vet that his pet was not a poodle at all. Instead, what he thought was a cute dog was actually a ferret on steroids pumped up to resemble a pet dog.

The retired man from Catamarca purchased two ‘Brazilian rats’ which is what Argentinians call poodles. He returned back home and then started to get a bit suspicious, but despite paying a knock down price for the supposed pedigrees was not overly concerned. However, when he took the ‘dogs’ to the vet for their yearly vaccinations he got a very big surprise.

It turned out that he had actually bought two ferrets that received steroids after they were born in order to make them larger. Then their coats were teased out to make them look similar to a toy poodle.

In the past this was considered an urban legend, but it turns out that in Argentina this is actually the latest scam. Another woman reported that she thought she was purchasing a Chihuahua at a discounted price but also received a ferret instead. Usually a toy poodle will cost over a thousand pounds in the UK, but a ferret will cost less than one hundred pounds allowing the scammers to make quite a profit on unsuspecting customers.

The animals were both sold at the La Salada market in Buenos Aires which is known as a micro-economic centre that is full of Bolivian workers are attempting to make a quick buck in one way or another. It is a very poor area and often what you see is not really what you get in terms of many different types of products.

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Dog thefts on the rise

April 10, 2013

Residents in Barnstaple and Newton Tracey are worried about their pets after noticing suspicious behaviour. North Devon people are worried that thieves are now targeting dogs as their next victims. Many dog owners in the region have called police after watching people lurk around their properties in a suspicious manner and reported that they think that the people are scheming to steal their pets.

Newton Tracey woman Charmaine Speed stated that she called police last Sunday when her nine year old daughter walked outside to shut in the rabbits and saw a hatchback car in the driveway and two men looking into the windows of her mother-in-law’s house. The pair then started to walk around the garden where they spotted her daughter and then they jumped in their car and left.

After the pair left Charmaine walked around the area where they had been and noticed an old card that had been sprayed with blue spray pain hanging from the gate. She added that while she was not sure what it meant, she had just finished reading a news article about dog thieves that tag houses where dogs live for future targets.

Charmaine owns two Collies and believes that her dogs might have been a target for use in fighting rings. Many thieves now steal dogs in order to train them as fighting dogs or to use as bait for other dogs in fighting matches.

Over the same weekend Matt Lavall in Barnstaple had a similar experience when someone let his dogs out of his garden. He returned back from work and found one of his Siberian Huskies at the end of Gorwell and when he got home found that someone had forced the gate open. He explained that the gate is very secure and clearly had been vandalised.

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