Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Who will get the Cole dogs?

I don’t know about you, but when I heard news of Ashley and Cheryl Cole splitting up, my first thought was for their dogs. What is going to happen to them?

Well if Cheryl has her way, then the two Chihuahuas will be staying with her. She is besotted with Buster and Coco and can’t bear the thought of living without them.

But of course, Ashley too wants to keep hold of the pooches so there could be a battle on Cheryl’s hands.

It’s all being taken very seriously and sources have said that there are temporary arrangements in place for visitation rights to the two dogs. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle of the puppies.

Crufts revises its standards amid accusations of poor dog health

Not long to go until this year’s Crufts start to take over our televisions. I don’t know about you, but I love sitting down and watching my favourite furry friends trot around the arena, showing off their shiny coats.

But Crufts has come under attack recently over accusations that it encourages inbreeding which can lead to health problems in dogs.

Well now the British institution is fighting back by saying that it will focus more on working animals and even mongrels.

The Kennel Club has also worked with vets to revise its standards for the competition. The health of the dog is now top of the agenda with Crufts according to the Kennel Club. And I should hope so too!

Although Crufts wasn’t shown on television last year because the BBC refused to air it, it will be back on our screens this year on More4. I can’t wait!

Hoppa is hopping with happiness

Us Brits can’t get enough of our four legged friends. They are our closest companions and we love to turn to our dogs for comfort.

So it’s always upsetting to think that a dog may be suffering. They seem so innocent and helpless; they don’t deserve any pain or discomfort.

The very sight of Hoppa, a four year old dog from Israel, could bring a tear to any dog lover’s eye. He was born with no front legs and has struggled over the years.

But the good news is; Hoppa has just been fitted with a prosthetic harness which consists of wheels instead of legs that enable him to move around as quickly as he likes.

With these developments, fingers crossed other dogs in a similar situation will get help soon too.

Dogs fighting crime

They never cease to amaze me.

Because aside from providing unconditional companionship and love to us humans, dogs can help to fight crime too.
Sniffer dogs are trained to detect explosives, drugs and blood. And they are able to do this even when certain scents are masked by other smells.

A sniffer dog’s sense of smell is 2000 times more sensitive than that of humans. This was displayed once, when a sniffer dog alerted police to a lady who had tried to smuggle drugs into a prison, by hiding them in her bra and smearing them with coffee pepper and Vicks Vapo-rub. The dog couldn’t be fooled by this lady.

Whenever I hear facts like this, it always makes me question; how on earth would we survive without our trusty dogs?

The dangers of dog walking

Taking the dog for a walk should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

But even when we are in the most deserted areas of the countryside, there are certain dangers to be aware of.

In the past month, three dog walkers have been trampled to death by cows. This usually occurs when dogs have been let off their leads. If the cows feel there is a threat to their calves, they will do anything to protect them. And this is what has led to the unfortunate deaths.

Advice from farmers is to just think of yourself and not the dog. Even if the dog is on the lead when cows begin to charge, the advice is to let them go.

Some farmers are calling for a law change to make it compulsory to keep dogs on leads in the countryside.
But whatever the outcome of these sad deaths, extra care must be taken when walking our dogs.

What a mucky pup

He’s the master of mischief.

And Bobby lived up to his name yesterday as he arrived in France.

No sooner had his four paws hit the French soil than he was up to no good.

Bobby arrived safely after a 12 hour drive and after a good sniff about the house, he decided to have a look around the front garden and give it his seal of approval.

But he disappeared under the car only to return a completely different dog. He was black.

Bobby was covered from head to tail in black oil; you could barely make out that he was supposed to be white!

What an excellent start to the holiday – pinning down the dog in the kitchen sink.

What a mucky pup.

Travelling with your dog

Sometimes I think he has a better time than most humans.

My dog Bobby is always off on his travels – jet setting all over the world! He has been micro chipped, injected and he has his own doggy passport. So last night, he went off to France for a few weeks.

It’s a long drive to get there, taking about 12 hours altogether, but Bobby is a seasoned pro when it comes to long journeys and he actually really enjoys them.

If you want your dog to be a good traveller, it’s best to get them used to it when they are still a puppy. If you take them on regular trips in the car, they will become

Bobby loves travelling in the car

Always keep them in the back of the car. If they attempt to jump onto the front seat, tell them to get into the back immediately. That way, they will begin to learn that the front is not for them.

Of course you will need to stop regularly in order to let them stretch their legs and go to the toilet. It is also important to let them have a drink and maybe something to eat each time you stop too. You don’t want them to become dehydrated. There are even doggy travel bowls available which can be folded up after use, to ensure that your dog travels lightly.

The most important thing to do is to keep your dog comfortable throughout the journey. And if they are trained correctly, your dog will soon become your favourite travel companion.

Super dog to the rescue!

We all know that we can rely on our dogs.

And as if proof were needed, Taiyuan Zoo in northern China has confirmed this.

On June 25th, the zoo was surprised to discover the birth of two red pandas. But sadly the mother abandoned the cubs. This led to a frantic search by zoo staff for a surrogate mother to feed the newborns.

Eventually a small white dog, belonging to a farmer in a nearby suburb, was chosen. The dog was already lactating and is extremely good natured according to the zoo staff. She immediately accepted the cubs and began feeding them.

Since being adopted by the mongrel, the cubs have doubled in size to 20cm. And with the red panda being an endangered species, the little white dog has really saved the day!

It’s a dog’s life

You’re running around doing the household chores and your dog is just lying there. He’s having a lovely relaxing snooze in amongst all the chaos.

It’s at times like these that you really begin to wonder what it would be like to live like a dog. All your time would be spent playing in the garden, eating, chasing those pesky cats and napping. Wouldn’t it?

Well now, there’s chance to find out, with a Pets Eye View Camera. This clever little gadget allows you to see life as your dog sees it. The digital collar camera fits around your pet’s neck and films every bit of mischief that they get up to.

I dread to think what the results would be if my dog, Bobby, wore one. But at least we would find out just how he manages to escape from the garden every day.

Bobby, planning his escape route

A loyal friend

On my way to work today, I saw a lady with a guide dog.

Being a dog lover, I have always been fascinated by guide dogs and the work that they do. And this morning, once again, I was so impressed and humbled by how vital these animals are to the blind and partially sighted.

The lady I saw was making her way through a city centre during rush hour. She was crossing an extremely busy road. But she knew she could trust her furry friend to keep her safe. And that is precisely why us dog lovers are so fond of our pets.

These dogs are highly trained and sensitive and they really know what they are looking out for. It’s amazing that they are so focussed on their job and they never get distracted. In fact, most office workers could probably learn a thing or two from them!