Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Toby nominated for award

Toby is a West Highland terrier who has been nominated for the doggie version of the People’s Pride of Britain awards, also known as the prestigious national Dogs Trust Honours awards, in the ‘doggie devotion’ category.

Toby is 15 years old and has lived with his owner, Fiona, for almost all Read the rest of this entry »

Keep your dog away from slugs

Slugs and snails are common in the UK thanks to our unfortunately climate, but not only are these pests a garden nightmare they can also cause a potentially fatal disease for your dog.

If your dogs eats slugs or snails, either deliberately or accidentally, then you should be careful.  They can carry a lungworm infection that leads to angiostrongylosis, the potentially fatal disease.

A vet in Southend, Mr Richardson, said:

“It is something that is more of an emerging condition.  We are seeing more of it than we used to. It has become a bigger problem in the South East because the climate here is a bit warmer which helps the slugs and snails do well.”

Symptoms Read the rest of this entry »

Survival of the fittest

Every now and then, you read an amazing story about dogs that makes you wonder at how well they can survive and adapt.

Today I was reading a story about a cattle dog called Sophie Tucker who fell overboard from a family yacht off the coast of Australia in rough weather.  The family searched but could not find her and feared her lost.

Today the family was reunited with the dog.  She Read the rest of this entry »

No human chocolate for dogs this Easter

Well it’s just one week off Easter and as usual I’m being torn apart by my love for chocolate on one hand and my desire to lose weight on the other.  Still, it won’t stop me eating at least one Easter egg next Sunday!

As I highlighted last year, I feel the need to remind people that dogs should never be given human chocolate no matter how much those puppy eyes stare at you, willing you to give them some.

Particularly those who are new to dog ownership, they often Read the rest of this entry »

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

I often think it’s a shame that more people don’t do enough to help support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.  Don’t get me wrong, I think dogs to support blind people are fabulous, but they get a lot of publicity and as more people are aware of them they get a lot of funding too, yet hearing dogs don’t seem to get as much.

I recently read an article talking about how the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity is appearing on April 25th at the Whitegift shopping centre in Croydon to raise awareness Read the rest of this entry »

Dog loses half body weight

An overweight dog is an unsightly dog in my opinion as it means they are suffering.  To many dog owners though, it apparently means they love them.

Recent research has shown that one third of dog owners admit they give their dogs too many treats and about the same admit that a lack of exercise is probably contributing to the problem.  If you can’t keep your dog healthy then you don’t deserve one!  In fact, this research also showed that two thirds Read the rest of this entry »