Hurtling inexorably toward Christmas.
It's coming...... the goose is getting fat, advent calendars have been opened, birds are singing, the mornings are dark and the tension is high. This week everyone is starting to panic about Christmas shopping, posting cards and generally getting into a flat spin but  in all the excitement, don't forget the dog and those christmas left overs.

Fatty foods, nuts, raisins, chocolates and left overs can, and does make your dog very ill so make sure that no one is slipping tit bits under the dining table.  If you want to include your dog in the christmas lunch, then by all means, chop up a slice of turkey with a smidgen of gravy but no more than that.  Make sure that food has not been left on coffee tables.  (A plateful of smoked salmon and other appetisers can make your dog spend the night throwing up on your clean, carpet.)

The RSPCA have re-issued this little cartoon video about the effects of slipping titbits to your pet.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQCwHluBqFc‎

Other danger points to watch out for are christmas wrapping paper. You know how all that rustling can make excited dogs pounce on the discarded paper when the presents are being unwrapped. It can get caught in their throats because it has a shiny coating.  The other hazard to watch out for are pine needles from the tree that can stick between their toes.  That is almost as painful as a thorn in the paw.

This 'n that corner..... of the blog this week is the "Aren't Some of the Crazy Myths We've Been Told In Our Lives True' corner? Im going to be honest with you – I didn't do any research before writing this week's news, so I don't really feel equipped to tell you what's true and what isn't.
         
However, I do know for a fact (because I saw it on the TV programme, 'Mythbusters') that elephants really are scared of mice.  They are also afraid of ants.  It is also true that you can actually get cold feet if you're nervous and  just like they do in the films, you definitely can slap sense into somebody. (wouldn't we all like to do that to people we come across?).So don't say I never teach you anything.

"Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer."so said someone.

Before I go, here is the sweetest, lump-in-the-throat video of a dog waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Have a terrific christmas and I hope Santa brings you exactly what you were hoping for.

Dawn (.".")

Do you ever wonder what is on your dog's mind when they gaze at you adoringly?

 

Do you ever wonder what your dog would say if he could talk? I bet you say "I wonder what's in his mind?"  each time he looks up at you with those big, warm, brown eyes?
You might be surprised to learn that what you’re doing to your dog is confusing him—maybe even driving him crazy. Here are five bad habits you need to stop before they wreck your relationship.

1. You’re trying to communicate with your dogs through words.

You adopt a dog from the rescue home, and you know it is not the first time he has been adopted, but you are confident you will be successful. One of your worries is that the previous owner had given the dog a name you don’t like, so you have renamed him Dexter. But will that confuse him? Guess what? Dogs don’t care much whether you speak to them in Spanish, English, Chinese or Serbocroat, because they don’t hear words as words, just the sounds. So "C'mon now, be a good boy" merely sounds like "mmnn-num-num". You know how people have that irritating way of spelling out "t-r-e-a-t-s"“w-a-l-k” and “l-e-a-s-h”; (and I am just as guilty of that too!), they may be fooling themselves but they certainly aren’t fooling the dog. Dogs are smarter than people give them credit for. They can sense something much deeper than the words you use; they also read your body language. That is why you can’t lie to a dog. When you speak to a dog you must speak from the inside, from your mind, your heart, and your body. Otherwise he will be scratching his head with his paw in puzzlement, trying to figure why he can see your lips moving with strange noises coming out.

2. You treat your dog like a child.

We have all visited those houses, right? The ones with the framed pictures of Bubbles hanging on  the walls. Embroidered cushions everywhere of dogs of the same breed, name on toys, bowls and blankets of every kind, scattered from kitchen to bedroom to bath. And Bubbles’s owner never stops faffing over her as though she were a one-year-old. You can see how the human starts to get confused sometimes and starts thinking that Bubbles is a child—but of course Bubbles is under no illusions at all. She is a dog, and she wants to behave like a dog—that is in her DNA. And like all dogs, she wants to run, smell bottoms and other dog's poo;  she loves to chase things, and she wants to use her nose to track. She wants to roll in unspeakable smells and eat yukky things. Your “baby” is also a pack animal and needs the structure and routine and discipline in her life to feel fulfilled and not become frustrated. There is nothing wrong with showing your dog love, but remember the basic rules of dog ownership: first exercise, then discipline, and finally oochy-coo and cuddles.

3. Your dog doesn’t have a job and he’s bored.

So many times people are worried because their dog has picked up an irritating habit.  Perhaps he’s chewing the carpet, or racing in circles around the house, or showing surprising aggression. And so often the answer is the same: Your dog is getting bored—he wants something to do. Dogs were not born  into a 5-star life style, expecting to be waited on hand and foot, with gourmet meals produced at  supper times; no creature in the animal world is. In the wild—from the time they are puppies—dogs have  had to work and fight for their food. The pack rule is hunt it down or go hungry. Dogs have been bred over the centuries for different jobs—from rounding up cattle to hunting to hauling. When their natural instinct is denied, they become frustrated, and that is when they start to show signs of aggressive behaviour.  Pay attention to what your dog asks and give him a job. Put a pack on his back when you go for walks or create obstacle courses so he can put his scent-tracking abilities to good use. His body language will tell you how exciting and stimulating his tasks have been. His tail will wag in circles, not just left and right, to indicate pure bliss.

4. You’re acting like your dog’s playmate

.....not  the pack leader. Its important that you re-claim the role of pack leader from the dog the first time it joins the family. The moment you come home, your pooch greets and licks you enthusiastically then tries to tell you that they are ready to play. The next thing you know, you and your dog are racing around the garden or the park with a ball and all the rules have changed. At least the rules have changed in your mind—until you are ready to signal "that's enough" and go back for dinner. How is your dog supposed to understand what has happened? You gave up on being pack leader to race into playing with them instead of making it clear that play begins only when they have calmed down.  So now they are confused about who’s the boss. Remember: Being a pack leader is not a part-time occupation; it’s all the quality time. Your dog is always looking for consistency and structure, and without it they are going to become confused about when to follow your directions and when you two are just playmates.

5. You’re tense and nervous around your dog

Your sister-in-law is one of your least favourite people. You hate it when she comes to visit—you know she is checking out your home for dust and grime, running her finger over the furniture and you can see the critical disdain in her face. To make matters worse, whenever she’s near Dexter, your otherwise well-behaved mixed-breed dog,  goes crazy, as if to demonstrate your poor dog-handling skills. But he doesn’t know there are problems with you and your sister-in-law; he just knows that his pack leader is tense and nervous, so he may become tense and nervous too. Our dogs are incredibly finely attuned to us—we’ve been living together almost from the beginning of time! That is why they need calm, assertive energy to relax. Remember: Dogs are predators in the wild, so if they become nervous, their fight-or-run response is almost always more likely to be fight. Nervousness in dogs will soon come out as aggression. It is they only way they know to deal with a problem.

Listen to them carefully, they are trying to tell you what they want. Their needs are really very simple, and if you satisfy those, you will have a happy and fulfilling partnership. That is the kind of bond I have with my dogs.

And there ended the sermon.  Now let's finish off with some bits and bobs...............

Two of our dog friends in the park will be holding a Crimble Dog Extravaganza this Saturday.  See poster below.  It looks worthy of a special trip just to get some unusual doggy presents that you wouldn't see anywhere else.

A sweet story to melt the heart!
A shop keeper was putting up a sign that  that read "Puppies for Sale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough a little boy appeared. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" the little boy asked. The shop keeper replied, "probably between £30 to £50." The little boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have £2.37" he said. "May I please look at them?" The shop keeper smiled and then whistled, and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his shop followed by five tiny balls of fluff.

One puppy was lagging way behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?" The shop keeper explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered that it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That's the puppy I want to buy." The shop keeper said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I will let you have him for free but I can't sell him to you.

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the man's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you £2.37 now and 50 pence a month until I have paid for him."

The shop keeper said, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies." To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his trouser leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the shop keeper and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands."

Here is a 'cute overload' picture that will bring on comments like "ehrmagherd! berldogs and babehs eh!." Couldn't have said it better myself.                                  I don't want to say this, but   I feel I have to. After  today there are only 5 Wednesdays until Christmas. Well! that's it until the next blog. Have a good time, whatever you have planned. Dawn (.".)

IS YOU DOG A SECRET DRINKER?

Do they slurp up excessive amounts of water throughout the day? 

Pools, puddles, horse troughs, garden pots and even the toilet bowl.

When this happens it is often the signs of of an health issue. The medical term used by vets for increased water consumption is polydipsia.

The term polydipsia refers to excessive thirst brought on by excessive water intake, that in turn usually leads to polyuria, which is the formation and excretion of a large volume of urine.  (I can sense that you have already lost the will to live!)  Polydipsia and polyuria are early signs of several diseases, that include:

 

Kidney failure

Diabetes mellitus

Uterine infection 

Liver disease

High blood calcium

Uncommon abnormalities of the pituitary gland

Inability of the kidney to re-absorb water properly

Dogs normally take in about 3 to 4 cups of water per day for a 20 pound dog. Anything more than that, under normal environmental conditions, is considered to be polydipsia.  Keep an eye on  your dog if it shows signs of increased thirst and peeing. Some dogs may begin drinking from a dripping tap in the garden, and slurping from any puddle they come across or from an open toilet bowl. However, if you want to monitor how much your dog is drinking, allow them only one bowl of  measured water and subtract the amount left in the bowl after 24 hours from the amount you put in originally. If you feel that your pet is drinking excessively, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Older dogs seem to be susceptible to one or more of the symptoms listed above.  Best to keep an eye out for excessive drinking.

Pic  on left echoes my sentiments exactly.

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing, right in your ear.

Do you suppose this is what leaves say to each other every autumn?

Have you noticed how people have taken to using the 'word' literally to describe everything?
Literally is literally the most misused word ever. It was literally the size of a house when describing something huge. "My dog was literally shaking with fear when it met that pit bull terrier".
"That comedy show was so funny I literally wet myself." "That aubergine was so slimy I literally died." You will literally love the onset of dark, autumn nights.  Probably.

Dogs love chasing cats but  aren't they wimps when it comes to confronting them on important issues such as bed stealing.

chickpea  dog biccie
(your dog will be drooling for a taste)
You will need:
2 cups chickpea flour (the asian section of most supermarkets)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (or replace it with unsweetened apple sauce or mashed banana)
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 egg (to bind the mixture)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180F.  Line a baking tray with cooking foil.
Mix all the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface and knead well.
Cut into desired shapes and place on baking try.
Bake for 20 minutes, then turn down oven to 150F and allow to bake for another 40 minutes.
Leave biscuits to cool in the oven.
Store in an air tight container or resealable sandwich bag

Have a good week and enjoy squishing through wet, soggy, yellowy-brown leaves that stick to everything and make a mess of the car and the house.
Remember, You are a child of the stars, cosmically connected to every single other entity in the universe. (Roll of the eyes and a muttered, "Hippy crap"!)
So yes, you do deserve a third biscuit while reading my latest blog.

Ive been in hot and sunny Mallorca for 5 weeks and my blog page says accusingly that "you have not written a blog since September 8."  So, here it is!

Enjoy!


Dawn (")

You've all heard those idioms involving cats and dogs.

 We use these expressions all the time but do you know their origins?  I certainly didn't know where they originated them,  but looking on that wonderful invention -  the Internet - gave me all the answers. The most commonly used phrases are:

 It's raining cat's and dogs
 The cat's pyjamas
 A dog's dinner
 Barking up the wrong tree
 Dog days of summer
 

                                                     
   ITS RAINING CATS AND DOGS

A much more probable source of  this expression, raining cats and dogs, is the prosaic fact that, in the filthy streets of 17th/18th century England, heavy rain would occasionally carry along dead animals and other debris. The animals didn't fall from the sky, but the sight of dead cats and dogs floating by in storms could well have been the reason for the coining of this colourful phrase. These days we use it to describe rain that is bucketing down from the sky.


THE CAT'S PYJAMAS OR THE DOG'S B*******
I've heard much ruder versions of this expression when using it in dog's terms. The cat's pyjamas gained popularity in the 1920s as one of those"nonsense phrases" used to describe something good. It was during this period that use of the term the bee's knees also came about. According to those in the know, nonsense phrases were an intentional combination of outlandish words and had  very little of deeper significance.

Although the cat's meow became common-use around this time as well, just one man could be  thanked for that. The American cartoonist Thomas Dorgan is regularly credited with popularising the phrase, but it is unclear whether he created it. Additional sources suggest that the cat's meow was derived either from the idea that cats meow when happy or that the subject in question was too cool for words, hence the need for a joyful meow.

                                                             
A DOG'S DINNER
Idioms are particularly handy when describing a situation or individual, and animal-related ones are no exception. A dog's breakfast is a saying with British origins, often used to describe a total mess or horlicks of a situation. Believe it or not, this one is thought to originate from bad cooking. If a particular recipe was cooked so badly that no person would eat it, it would be given to the dog.

These culinary wrecks are thought to be the inspiration behind the apt description for anything that ended poorly or has been botched. Interestingly, for some unknown reason, a dog's dinner also came to mean one who is dressed in a flashy manner, hence "done up like a dog's dinner."

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

Have you ever tried to solve a problem only to find that you were approaching it in the wrong manner? People use this expression when you are not getting anywhere when trying to solve your dilemma or problem, or if you have misheard an instruction and done it wrong.  It also applies when you have misunderstood something. This idiom harks back to the practise of hunting with dogs. The dogs were often used to flush  out game  from hiding spots or  to track them so that their human companions could find their quarry. These trusty canines often chased animals such as raccoons into trees, where their owners could easily find them. If a dog followed the wrong scent, however, they might find themselves barking away at a tree that held nothing. This idiom first became popular around 1832, and was rumoured to be a favourite expression of Davy Crockett who was a well known hunting, fishing, shooting man.

THE DOG DAY'S OF SUMMER
The weather  often  invokes images of animals. The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the season.   Its a  time when you and your pet might want to do nothing more than to relax in a nice cool spot. The origins of the phrase, however, date back to the ancient Romans. It was the Romans who first noticed that the hottest days of the summer seemed to coincide with the appearance of Sirius, the so-called "dog star" and a part of the Canis Major ("big dog") constellation. At one point these days were referred to as "Canicular dayes." But even the coldest nights have interesting idioms and the history to go with them. One Australian idiom refers to the practise of sleeping alongside a dog for warmth during cold evenings. A particularly frosty night might require more than one companion, hence it is a three-dog night.

Every dog should have a man of his own.
There is nothing like a well-behaved person around the house to spread the dog's blanket for him, or bring him his supper when he comes home man-tired at night.
Corey Ford

Warning!
Your bog standard Snails may not seem like natural enemies to dogs, but these slow-moving gastropods are capable of spreading a disease that could be fatal to the family pet. Scientists from the University of Exeter in England attached LED lights to snails' shells and tracked them for what had, to be a thrilling 24-hour period,(only for the scientists), learning that snails can cover up to 82 feet per day. The fear is that they're mobile enough to come into contact with dogs, who can contract a deadly parasite called lung worm if they eat a crunchy snail or two. "They are not just greenery munchers who will devastate your beans, lettuces and seedlings, they are carriers of a parasite that can kill your dogs," study leader Dr. Dave Hodgson said. He suggested checking your backyard for snails before letting the dog race around in the grass. (Does he have any idea just how many of the damn things there are in our gardens? It would take years to clear them out.) Puppies, especially, love picking them up and having them as a fishy snack. Yuk!

*******************************************************************************
 BLAME IT ON GUY RITCHIE.

If you couldn't get into a particular part of Regent's Park all day on friday, 6th September because of the coned off parking bays; masses of scurrying people, vans, cars and lorries driving everywhere from early morning until dusk, you can vent your anger at Guy Ritchie, the director, who is producing a re-make of the film "The Man from Uncle".  The production crew of hundreds and a large cast of actors and actresses, took over the Rose Gardens and the surrounding areas for the filming.  It was bedlam and there were a lot of irate tourists and dog walkers who were not allowed to enter that particular part of the park  for most of the day, to walk their dogs or even to stand and gawp.
********************************************************************************

Here's a nice little clip of a chihuahua doing the salsa. What fantastic hip movements. Go puppy go!

Snippet
We all walk around Regent's Park  admiring and discussing some of the unusual and beautiful birds that we see. I recommend you log onto www.regentsparkbirds.co.uk/‎, the blog site written by wild birds expert, Tony Duckett. There isn't anything this man doesn't know about our feathered friends and his site is a mine of avian information.

That's it then, until the next blog. Brace yourselves for chilly mornings and take a moment to stand and marvel  at those rows of trees changing colour in readiness for autumn.

Dawn
(".")





                                                                                                                       

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOGGGIE PLAY.........

Many times I meet dog owners in the park who stop their dogs from playing with other dogs because they read the body language wrong and think the dogs are being aggressive.

Dog play is the best way for your pet to socialise and the play fighting and chasing each other gives them stimulus and exercise.  All those bared teeth and pretend growling is just a way of play acting and makes them excited and happy.   One lady asked "how do you know when it won't get out of hand?"  You have to be tuned into your dog's behaviour.  Watch other dogs. If they lie down or show signs of submission,

then its wise to distract your dog and walk away.   Dogs, just as boisterous children,  seldom know their limitations, so it is up to you, the human, to gauge how long you want the game to go on.  Its rather like watching a group of children playing.  Once the dominant one starts biting, fur pulling, body bombing, making growling noises, and the others shy away, thats the time you break up the game.  An over excited, rough game will  inevitably end up in fisticuffs.

If a dog doesn't want to join in a game, it will growl and snap  at the protagonists.  Its not being nasty. Its just a dog's way of saying "Thanks but no thanks!"

The placid, submissive dogs will simply stay down flat or roll over.  Don't tell them off. Its their way of saying "Nah! gerrof! You're no fun."  Too often an owner will tell a dog off for getting irritated and this gives the other dogs the signal to pitch in and bully it.  Some will go for the ruff of the neck to show dominanant alpha behaviour, others will stand by yapping and barking as if to say "Here, I'll hold your coat. Go on hit him.  Go on give him another punch in the mouth. That told him. Yaay!"

A good game, to a dog, is no different than it is for humans.  It's a good mental break, terrific physical activity, and a great stress reliever. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, it's healthy."

Whether chasing a ball, running to burn off energy, or to chase a flock of birds pecking away, quietly minding their own business,  all these activities play a vital  role in helping dogs to burn off pent-up energy. Without that outlet they may show behavioural problems that can range from destructive tendencies to attention-seeking antics. Just as surely as a couch potato would benefit from a trot around the block, a dog prone to chewing the couch or digging up a garden will find a much-needed release  in play and exercise. Often, such physical activities form an important part of resolving behavioural issues. Play is a natural outlet for a dogs' natural behaviours, that they don't often  get an opportunity to express it.

Mind you, some owners are so strict that their poor dogs have been turned into social misfits, because they are not allowed to sniff the bottoms of another dog or even have a little game of tag without being admonished and dragged away.  The dogs that I feel really sorry for are those who are forced to jog behind their owners.

You can see by their longing, doleful looks that they would just love to stop for a second and make friends with other dogs.
                                                     *******
On a subject totally unrelated to dogs except that it was in a park situation!
John Perl Geurtier’s breurken ther pheurteucoppiyeh.  I overheard a lady in the park talking to another. It's what it sounded like she was saying.  Isn't he a trendy fashion designer? Who knows if he has really broken his photocopier. Not that we’re aware of anyway. He probably pays minions to do his photocopying.  My husband translated this phrase when I had written it on a scrap of paper. But saying that sentence over and over again he tells me,  is a great way to practise your Geordie accent. Next Blog:  learning to speak Jamaican.
                                                      *******


                                                                          Warning!
                                                                    Be on your guard! 

That green, muddy puddle that you come across on your walk is poisonous to your dog. Drinking from it will make your dog very sick.
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service have reported a 10-fold increase in calls about the algae. There have been 117 cases of dogs getting poisoned by algae in puddles.  24 of those had to be put down.
The blue-green blooms have been reported in all parts of the country, brought about by the strong sunlight and the extreme hot weather.  It is harmful to humans too (but I must admit I haven't seen any dog owners on their hand and knees, lapping it up).  You probably have pots full of stagnant water that have been sitting in your patio or garden for weeks. Now is a good time to empty them out. You know how dogs prefer drinking grungy water to fresh?                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            
                                                                 Cute but  seriously tone deaf!                                                           

                                                http://biggeekdad.com/2011/02/piano-dog/  


                     It really puts you in your place when your dog can get a hotel room, but you can't.

"I called our favourite hotel but the response was "I'm sorry, sir. We've been booked up for months." With sudden inspiration, I called back.... This time I said, "Hello, this is Shana's human..." and this time the response was, "Oh yes, sir. Come on down. We always have a room for you."
(J. Emmett Black, Jr., on how all the staff at a certain Holiday Inn knew his dog by name, but not him. Crime was reduced whenever Shana stayed there; she's a 120 pound Great Dane.)


Tht's it until the next blog.

DAWN  ("")

NOT SO DOG DAYS ......


Phew! it’s hot – lovely innit?

Well! for some of us, the chance to bask in a garden chair with a cool glass of something in our hands and the dog snoozing happily in the shade, can be a true delight accompanied by those wonderful sounds of summmer - but in real life it is jumbo jets thundering over head,  police and ambulance sirens screaming; lawn mowers, strimmers; neighbours' kids screaming the place down and those radios placed on the window ledge and turned up full blast playing house music while the occupant sits inside; the smell of charred flesh and lighter fuel from next door's barbeque...........hmmm! definitely the sounds and smells of summer in urban London.

Sadly, these summer days of  extreme heat can be brutal to your dog. Excessive heat can make your dog's life a misery because they can't control the temperature.  They get restless, just can't seem to get comfortable; they pant a lot, can't settle.  One reason for this is that your dog wears a ready made full length fur coat all year round.  Its no good saying "Ah! but they are used to it."  They are not, especially when we have freak temperatures of 32 degrees. Something that none of us is used to.

While dogs do have sweat glands on their feet, they don't have them on the rest of their body so they rely on panting - a method of breathing out excess heat - to cool themselves down.  This is not as excessive as sweating but in extreme temperatures of heat, they can't cope.

I am sure  that everyone has their own favourite methods of cooling down their dogs and making the days comfortable for them.

Here are few of my favourite tips.

My dogs have the luxury of sleeping with a fan blowing full on them.  They all look comfortable, blissful and chilled. Talk about a 5-star lifetyle!

I cool them down after their walks by using a wet cloth on their  heads, chests, paws and stomach areas.  Its rather like you wetting yourself down with a wet flannel. It feels soooooo cooling.

I have a children's paddling pool in the garden filled with water and they jump in and out having a wonderful time.

I carry a bottle of water in the car so that they can have a drink after their strenuous and exciting walks of  dog blog reading and pee-mail sniffing. That's hot and tiring stuff for any dog!

Many dogs suffer from hay fever in the heat and they snuffle and snort alarmingly.  When it seems they are having great problems clearing their nose and having difficulty breathing, give them some human help. Simply use your thumb to rub the indent of their nose up and down then follow up with a wet cloth gently pressed against the snout. (this gets rid of pollen and other dry bits and pieces that are causing the snorting).

If the snorting continues, an antihistimine tablet, such as Piriton, in their dish of food or in a piece of cheese, will help considerably. And before you squawk that 'you shouldn't give human medication to dogs', that is exactly what the vets will prescribe.

I buy a bag of ice cubes from the supermarket and store it in the freezer.   A handful in my dog's water dish gives them nice, cold water to lap up when they are thirsty.   Occasionally we all have iced milk lollies to lick. Yummy!

And need I remind you that no dog should be left in a car, even with all the windows open.  If you park in a shady spot, do remember that the sun can swing around and the car will get the full blast of hot sun that can heat up to the temperature of a furnace.  

Much better idea to leave the dog at home.

And finally..........I know this has no connection with dogs, but it is such a wonderful clip that I felt you should all share it.

As a child, growing up in different parts of West Africa,  every July we would see drunken scenes like these when the Merula tree fruit (or Mow-wah as it was known locally), would come into fruit. Birds, insects, reptiles and animals would go on a drunken binge and react exactly as humans with hangovers.

biggeekdad.com/2011/07/happy-hour-in-africa/

                                                       Enjoy............. until the next blog.

                                                               Dawn ("")

In the depths of Regent's Park theres lives a lonely, troubled peacock that I have named Percival.      
He’s been making a bit a nuisance of himself by all accounts, dicing with death in full view of  dogs just itching to tear off his feathers, strutting his way into the Rose Garden delighting the japanese tourists, napping in the middle of the main road, disrupting the tennis matches at the tennis school and screeching really loudly during performances at the Open Air Theatre to try and find a girlfriend. Poor bird is now considered to be a nuisance and being kept under house arrest 9in that grand house with the amazing chandeliers), for his own safety. Welcome to the news.  No reason for telling you this. It has nothing to do with dogs. Im just passing on what the bird warden told me today.


SOME COMMON MYTHS ABOUT FEEDING YOUR DOG        

There are many different myths that have evolved over time about feeding dogs. Some have a basis of truth while others are simply a combination of misinformation,  a bit of folklore and urban legend. No one knows how these myths came about it, but it is important for dog owners to be able to determine fact from fiction and choose the healthiest option for their dog.

Myth 1. All human food is bad for dogs 
Some people have very literally taken the "don’t feed dogs table scraps" wisdom and created a much bigger issue. In fact some human food or table scraps may be very good for your dogs and provide additional opportunities for the dog to get vitamins and minerals as well as protein. The good types of human food include steamed or raw veggies without salt or seasoning, raw fruits, small amounts of whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal as well as lean meats that are boiled, baked or boiled. Avoid feeding dogs anything salty, sweet, spicy and hot or processed foods.

Myth 2. Dogs can't have poultry bones

Dogs should never, ever have cooked poultry bones, but raw poultry bones are absolutely fine for your dog. The best option is the wings. Many of my vet friends recommend raw or defrosted chicken wings. These make a very healthy and tasty snack for your dog and here isn't anything in them that will make them choke or get sick.  I can sense your shudder but in reality, all dogs love raw meat and it IS good for their digestion.  And NO, they won't throw up after eating anything raw.  Dogs are carnivores and it is only the ill informed owners who insist on forcing their poor dog to eat dry foods and raw eggs.The same is true for turkey or duck, just be careful to never give cooked bones that are thin and liable to splinter.  A good raw beef bone is like a gourmet feast to a dog. Not only will it aid digestion but all that gnawing will clean their teeth as well. 


Myth 3. Never feed your dog pork

Dogs should not eat raw pork. Pork that is boiled or baked without seasoning, with all the fat removed is fine to feed your dog. In addition those that feed raw food diets recommend freezing pork bones first for at least three weeks before feeding to avoid any risk of Trichinosis, a parasite that is sometimes lurking in pork. By freezing the bones or meat for three weeks the parasite will die and then there is no risk of passing on a parasite in the gut.A big beef bone is much better for your dog.

Myth 4. Dogs can't have any dairy products

Most dogs can tolerate small amounts of dairy products, especially those that are low in lactose. Dogs should not be fed large quantities of milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, cream or half and half but most dogs can eat small amounts of plain yogurt and cottage cheese.  Cottage cheese or plain yogurt in particular, can be a good source of probiotic that helps to regulate the digestive tract. if your dog is feeling off colour, one of those probiotic drinks that you buy in the supermarket is good for making them feel better.

Myth 5. Dogs should never change food 

Dogs, just as humans, get bored with the same old kibble so a little variety once in a while will perk them up and brighten up their lives. There is no harm in trying out different dog foods to feed your dog because it stimulates their taste buds and also gives you an idea of the one they enjoy eating most.  My dogs love variety and just like divas, will often turn up their noses at a favourite, preferring instead to eat a brand that we would consider cheap and nasty, that smells foul.  There's no accounting for taste!

Having fun on a trampoline and no sight of an 'Elf and Safety officer lurking nearby!

Did you read in the papers that Melati the tiger at Regent's Park Zoo has developed a preference for Chanel No5 EDT ever since they started spraying it into her new enclosure to make her feel at home. Obviously a cat with expensive tastes as a bottle costs £55.

 That's it for this week. 

Dawn (.''.'")  (People ask what this little icon is. Its supposed to be moi with my fringe!)

DO DOGS FEEL GRIEF? 
   

You bet they do!

I recently overheard two dog owners in the park  this week discussing whether or not dogs grieve when  a family member or another pet dies.

One lady said "Dogs don't really give a toss, as long as they get food, walks, treats and the occasional cuddle."  The other lady said that she had definitely seen evidence that dogs do grieve at the passing of a human or animal family member.

In my many years of involvement with dogs, I can categorically say that they DO have emotions. And yes, they do grieve the loss of someone close.  This heart breaking video  is  proof  enough that a  dog can be distraught at losing its owner.  This is just one of hundreds of video clips on the Internet showing dogs grieving for dead owners.  Others show them trying to revive their doggy friends who have died either through natural causes or in a road accident.

                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p69V7d5C-Q

Dogs that have  lost a doggy companion will show clear signs of emotional distress with a lack of appetite, aloof behaviour or by demanding an unusually high amount of cuddles and contact with you. They will lie on the floor, head in paws, just looking unbelievably sad. You would have to be a block of wood not to pick up the distress and feelings of sadness.

We forget that when a living animal relates to another for a long time,  they develop a close friendship, create habits together, routines that they share and a confidence, trust and familiarity as a duo. They may have started out hating each other but at the end they are as close as can be.

With the death of a companion, whether human or animal, its like having to get over an addiction of sorts, an ingrained habit that becomes very hard to break.

Dogs can't vocalise just how they feel but an intuitive, tuned in owner can many times pick up from the body language at just how much  mental anguish the animal  is going through.

Is there anything you can do to minimize and overcome the sadness for your dog? It may not always be possible to make things right for them but for a few weeks after the passing of a person or dog, its good to lavish extra cuddles on them, plenty of chats, long walks and games that will break the cycle of gloom and eventually help them to focus on you and getting on with life. Make grooming every day a part of the new routine as this helps them bond with you - and you with your dog - making the sadness become a thing of the past.

                            “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face,
                             you should go home and examine your conscience.”
                                                ― Woodrow Wilson




And now for something less gloomy, here are two pitch perfect canine musicians playing The Flea Waltz

          http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2012/03/12/dogs-with-perfect-pitch-play-flea-waltz/


That's it for this week.  Have  an enjoyable one!

Dawn ("")

                                       Your dog’s star sign

If you know your dog’s sign you can see if they relate to any of these descriptions. However, there are so many mixtures of breeds nowadays that one particular star sign will not apply.  All these descriptions are a bit of fun and taken from my own personal observations.

ARIES DOGS:  A butch type, strong and full of energy. Motto is "Me First". and there will be no please about it.  Easily bored, they like  a challenge. Activities such as agility classes or playing frisbee is their thing. They appreciate going to new places and walks that gives them a chance to read new blog sites and pee mails.They tend to like to play alone or with you, rather than hang out with other dogs. Bit of a trail blazer. Once they pick up the scent of a fox, squirrel or cat, they are off into the unknown. A bit short tempered and often clumsy, banging into trees and other objects, or tripping over their own front paws.  Strong willed with a mind of their own.  Sometimes will dislike another dog for no reason and pick a fight. Intolerant of any other dogs and constantly tries to dominate other canines and humans.  Don’t sleep that much. Hates being ignored and can get grouchy when hungry. Houdini is their middle name and if you enclose them with fences and gates, you can be sure they will find a way out.  You worry that your pet is a  closet psychopath.

TAURUS DOGS: Ploddy. Salt of the earth types who are great with children, the elderly, small dogs and puppies. Doesn't mind having his ears and tailed pulled by human toddlers or puppies. Likes to sleep on your bed, or at least be as close as possible to you on the sofa. Slower and less energetic than most of the other dogs. It is not unusual to leave them in one place for hours and come back to find they havent moved an inch. Is not that keen on walks, especially in bad weather but prefers riding in the car with the window down. This dog will sit for hours listening to Beethoven, Elgar or Poochini in fact, anything soothing that calms the savage breast. Hates head banging or thumping heavy metal music played too loud. They will show their disapproval by covering their ears with their paws. Very loyal and a fervent sloppy kisser. Security is necessary in their life so if you start moving the furniture around in the home, it unsettles them and makes them very clingy. They then show their displeasure by peeing on the curtains and furniture.  Be prepared for the Taurus dog to sit and stare hungrily at the fridge until you get the message.

GEMINI DOGS:  Yappers for Europe.  Restless, versatile and attention seekers. Its me, me, me all the time.  This is the party animal of the zodiac world. Tarts of the park. They will often stick their bottoms in another dog's face. Learn tricks very fast. Selectively deaf and have the attention span of a flea. Get bored quickly and need to be entertained. If asked to undertake anything boring, they will suddenly be over come by nervous exhaustion, collapse into a shivery, twitching hyperventilating wreck that makes you think that something is seriously wrong. Curious about everything and in human terms would be considered the neighbourhood gossip and a curtain twitcher.  Has to know what is going on. They can charm the entire neighbourhood and have them wrapped around their dew claws.  Greet strangers like old friends. Tend to be very fickle about their ambitions. One minute they want that treat, then they don't, then they do. Real butterflies of the canine world. Love the company of humans and other dogs and the highlight of their lives is going for car rides. They love the wind in their hair, ears blowing back. Terrific liars and will swear blind that you never fed them by constantly pushing an empty dish around noisily.


CANCER DOGS: Rather be at home than go to the park and run around. Shy and sensitive but often moody,  they require constant patting and praise until your throat is sore. They prefer home life to be calm and peaceful. The highlight of their day is for meal times and woe betide you if it is late.They will hassle you until they get it.  Real water pups, they will jump into any pool or  muddy puddle of water at every given opportunity. Have a terrific memory for people, doggy friends, where they last saw abandoned food and where the best places are for rolling in unspeakable things. Other dogs rely on them for gossip.   Quiet, likes to lie doggo and watch what is going on around them.  A tad lazy in social situations. They prefer other dogs to approach and sniff them rather than work at building up friendships. Will hide between your legs in strange situations. Often get put off if another dog snarls or growls at them. Quite wimpish in fact, if the truth were known.

LEO DOGS: These are the divas of the dog world. The Boss-dog. Show offs who love dressing up. Always happy and cheerful and good fun to have around. Love joining in games of charades at parties and tearing up wrapping paper. They have the best looks, glossiest coats and larger-than-life personalities.  Have to be the focus of attention and always bark "Look at me" if you are talking in someone! Defensive of you and the pack they hang around with.  Have to be the loudest in company.  Very energetic and playful. Good guard dogs. Enthusiastic about every activity. Loyal and trusting. A little clumsy when it comes to jumping around and tend to bowl everyone over. Thrive on constant praise. They make good Police or guard dogs but have one strange eccentricity ......he or she is often terrified of squirrels, cats and puppies.

VIRGO DOGS: A bit anal about their basket, their toys and their treats. Everything has to be neatly hidden. These are the hypochondriacs of the canine world. If one flea gets on them, they behave as though they are covered from head to toe and will scratch relentlessly or if they have a simple stomach upset, the Virgo dog will be certain that it has salmonella poisoning. Virgo dogs are usually the ones who will sit down if they have a dirty bottom or a twig attached somewhere on their fur.  They can't stand dirty paws.  Very obedient but very goody-two-shoes in company. Stay still when being groomed. Selfish when it comes to sharing toys or food with other dogs. Punctual about walkies so if you say "Five minutes", they are back within that time with their leads in their mouths and an intense stare that says "OK! time's up!" Love spending their time with you pottering in the garden, communing with nature as they pull up weeds and bulbs, chew leaves and generally wander in and out of flower beds making a mess. Adores poking around the shed because it is full of spiders and cobwebs.

LIBRA DOGS:  These are the shop stewards of the canine world. Their one purpose in life is to improve the lot of the working or owned dog. They will stand for less discipline, more food and a shorter working week.  Should you ask them to do anything during the evening hours, then double the biscuits rations, otherwise you will be ignored. They also believe in the "closed shop" policy. In other words, one house ... one dog. Usually the prettiest dogs in any pack with soft, endearing, limpid eyes. Refined, sophisticated and well mannered, a Libra dog will never let you down in company by sticking a cold nose into someone's crotch, scooting across a room with an itchy bum or licking their balls. Iffy little creatures who never know what they want. Offer them a treat and they are not sure if they want it until you give it to another dog. Then the facial expression is "But I wanted it!". Hates confrontation and gets nervous if harsh words are spoken by owner and other adults; will avoid fights with other dogs. You despair because you think your dog is a wimp. Ridiculously stubborn, if they don't want to go for walkies, then nothing short of dynamite will get them to move. Likes to lie down for half an hour doing nothing but glare at things. Hates being hurried.

SCORPIO DOGS: Give the impression of being butch. Strong silent, refined types but don't ever cross them because then its the two-eyes-for-one type of revenge.  Scorpio dogs will either be your best friend or your worst enemy. If they are ever wronged in anyway or treated well, they never forget. Stubborn. They need and demand 8 hours of sleep undisturbed and if that means settling into your favourite armchair then forget about moving them off. Can sleep for Europe and prefers his bed to be in a hidden recess or  corner. Wary of strangers. Stares at you disconcertingly sometimes, so that you end up shouting "What? what? What's your problem?" Very independent. Enigmatic. Noisy situations make them grumpy and they will always hide somewhere quiet if you have company. Very psychic and will often make it clear that "something is not right in the house." If you happen to be a nervous type of person, this could make you a neurotic mess every night. However, most of these invisible noises and beings being growled at are harmless ..... but, if they hide under the bed and are too scared to emerge, that is the time to call the Police.

SAGITTARIUS DOGS: Boundless energy. Tail is always set on permanent wag and a big grin on its face. Usually bounces off the walls with enthusiasm. Can destroy your things for no reason or just because boredom has set in. Barks constantly just to let the world know they are around. Brave and fierce. Don’t like to fight but gets cheesesd off if provoked. Strong willed and diffcult to bend to your will. Adores walkies any time of the day or night.  Great at digging holes in your vegetable patch or flower beds. Im afraid Saggy dogs are the problem characters in the star signs

CAPRICORN DOGS: A little selfish with food and toys (like Virgo). Quiet and serious. Sometimes ignore everything around them, including you.  Energy  levels lower than other dogs and a walk in the park can make them exhausted. Character wise, a bit boring and ploddy but very loyal and loving once they have chosen the person they want to spend their lives with. Sighing deeply is a speciality of the Capricorn dog. Can often be very aloof if they disapprove of what you are doing. These are the social climbers of the canine world. They are excellent at summing up human character with one glance and no amount of elocution lessons or learned deportment will fool this discerning doggie. If you are a phoney, they will suss you out instantly and show it by growling, much to the owner's embarrassment. Capricorn dogs can be infuriating as he or she forever lags behind doing their own thing and once it gets to the end of the walk, they go at a glacially slow pace. Getting them into the car take 20 minutes. They always find that final enticing smell at the very end of their walk.

AQUARIUS DOGS
Real flirts of the canine world and have a penchant for following any blondes (male or female).  Always have a twinkle in their eyes and love socialising.  Keen explorers, they often disappear and give their owners a heart attack when they can't be found.  Kind hearted to a fault, they will always offer a paw to a waif or stray and share their treats with them.  Love muddy puddles, water sprinklers, garden hoses, swimming pools and water of any kind. God help anyone who comes near them when they are shaking themselves dry.  Often pretend to be disinterested but get ecstatic when someone makes a fuss of them. Make terrific hospital visitors because they thrive on all the attention.
Aquarius dogs enjoy working in the entertainment field ......circus performer, television star, photographic model and may, at times appear to be more human than the canine in species.  This dog is happiest being part of a pack and doing things as a member of a gang.

PISCES DOGS
Sensitive, loving, generous to a fault, they fall in love with the nearest bruiser of a dog at the drop of a hat. They feel the need for protection from someone big, ugly and butch.
Love partying and the more dogs they meet, the happier they are.  Have a split personality. Always pulled in two directions at the same time.  Dimbo dogs, who never really know what they want, hardly know if they are coming or going ... or even been there already.  There are times when the sheer joy of life makes them happy and bouncy.  Often confused, it is not unusual to see a Pisces dog pacing between bed, water bowl, back door, or to be near you.  They love water especially a turned on hose, flushing the toilet,  or you taking a shower. Any puddle becomes a swimming gala.
Generally, a Pisces dog never sees the contrary patches and to him/her, life will be the proverbial "bed of roses".

                         "Dogs are not our whole life, but they do make our lives whole."
                                                                                                            - Roger Caras 

Nice clip of a dog actually enjoying playing pool.

                                                                     Pool playing dog


                                        That's it until the next blog.  

                                                        Dawn (.".")