Archive for August, 2009

Pooches on a noble mission..

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Like me you too would be on a laughter roll if you learn about this. The cause is of course very touching but I must laud the organizers of the event for conjuring such a unique idea. I know you must be wondering what am I talking about. Yes unbelievable but our canine friends these days are doing all sorts of weird things that we couldn’t even think of until recently.

In the run up to a ‘dog day show’ this weekend in Norwich, our four-legged buddies were seen distributing pamphlets to passers-by at the city Forum.

The purpose of the event is to raise £25,000 for English soldiers serving in other countries. The event would take place at Sennowe Park, Guist, between Fakenham and Dereham, this Sunday.

Though it is a day of remembrance and contemplation, the participation of dogs will uplift the mood of the public. The event would be packed with fun filled activities.

There would be funny dog classes like “love me, love my dog”, “must have mutt”, “designer dog” etc. And for judging these dog classes, personalities like Kate Adie, Anglia’s Becky Mantin and actress Kate Rabett would be present.

Around 800 dogs and their owners are expected to adorn the event, said the organizers. However, the top draws of the event would be two brave hearts, Ben Parkinson and Rory MacKenzie, who lost both limbs while fighting in Afghanistan. They are also expected to judge a class.

Other events include demonstrations, terrier and lurcher racing and children’s entertainment and stalls.

The highest honor for dog classes would be given away by General Sir Richard Dannatt, a Norfolk resident and Head of the British Army, along with his wife.

It would be a treat to watch! Gates would be thrown open for registration at 10.30am on Sunday. The first class starts at 12.30pm.

For more information you can log onto www.norfolkdogday.co.uk.

Make doggies go the green way..

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Everybody across the world seems to have been bitten by the ‘go green’ bug. So, if that is true then how can our dear buddies be left behind? I know you must be racking your head thinking how can you make dogs adopt a green lifestyle. But there are some very simple ways of doing it.

  1. Switch to stainless steel bowls instead of the plastic ones. Recent studies have pointed to the presence of a compound called Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic water bottles which is capable of posing potential health hazards. It is believed that BPA can change the body’s hormonal system.
  2. We generally use chemicals for mopping our floors. But these can be harmful for our paw pals. Wondering how? Sometimes when we drop food on the floors, dogs generally lap them up. So it’s better to go with baking soda and vinegar, suggests a veterinarian.
  3. Avoid room fresheners as they contain harmful chemicals. Instead boil a sliced lemon, or use baking soda as it absorbs the odor. Another way to keep the house clean is by disposing off the trash everyday.
  4. We normally drink filtered water. The same rule should apply to our pets as well.
  5. Also avoid harmful chemical fertilizers for your gardens. They contain carcinogens, say veterinarians. So, you should seek the advice of a garden store staff for alternative gardening solutions.
  6. Be very cautious before applying any medication. It is always suggested that you ask for a veterinarian’s help before administering any medicine to your dog.

I am sure our paw pals will greatly benefit from this kind of a lifestyle.

For further information you can log onto:
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=10837485&nav=menu227 _3

Tips to beat thunderstorm fears in dog…

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

I have been noticing of late that whenever there is a flash of bright light in the sky, Rover becomes restless. He frantically runs around the whole house in search of a safe corner  and looks extremely frightened and panic stricken. This problem was perturbing me so much that I had been desperately looking out for a solution. Suddenly I stumbled upon a news post that offered very helpful tips to allay fears of thunderstorms in a dog. So I decided to share them with you.

    1. When Rover gets petrified he generally stays put at home. But you might have a dog which under similar circumstances tends to break loose and dart out of the house. For them especially always use identification tied to your their collars. With the help of your vet get a microchip implanted in his body for the whole life. Also leave your contact details with the nearby veterinary clinics and animal shelters.
    2. Create a safe place for your buddy in the house and take him there whenever you sense a storm coming.
    3. If your dog lives in an outside kennel, wrap it up with a shield or blanket quickly.
    4. Your demeanor should be very calm so that you don’t end up frightening him. Also keep him close to you as much as possible and try to divert his attention to some fun activities.
    5. You can also keep him in a crate, because during these times they generally become very destructive and can damage your belongings.
    6. During a storm keep all the doors and windows shut and also don’t forget to draw the curtains.
    7. If he tries to go near the main door, pull him away because he may inflict harm on people entering your house.
    8. Out of extreme fear he may start urinating or defecating. Don’t panic. Keep yourself ready for the situation.
    9. You can also try out a rather interesting remedy by playing recordings of thunderstorms during normal circumstances to condition him. This might sound a little time taking, but it yields beneficial results.
    10. Under extreme situations you can also combine medication with training to allay his fears.

      I am definitely going to try that reconditioning technique for Rover. My gut feeling says it would yield great results. You also check out which one works for your friend!