Tag Archives: dogs

Dogs and Distraction

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Millie

My daughter told me she had a problem with her food a few days after we had put a deposit on a puppy – an English springer spaniel.

It was meant to be a surprise. Now it seemed it would be an added burden, an unwanted distraction when all I wanted to do was concentrate my energies on getting Nelly well.

Should we still go ahead or should we just lose the deposit; call and cancel and let the pup go to a new home?

But the thoughts of that cute little puppy made me feel warm and peaceful and so we went ahead anyway.

Aware of the stress factor (we had had springers before) I knew that if it all got too much we could rehome her.

I prepared myself by watching endless episodes of It’s me or the Dog and reading countless books on how to train your dog. I wanted to be fully armed and confident.

It was with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that we went to collect her on Christmas Eve and as soon as my husband and I saw her I knew that it was the right thing to do.

Focussing our attention on Millie was exactly what we needed. Nelly came with me to puppy socialisation classes and then to training. It gave us something else to focus on, something that kept us together. We had a common aim other than her illness.

It could have been a disaster but it turned out to be the best thing we did. You need to find your own distraction from the eating disorder. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a pet, a jigsaw or gardening. You need something that gives everyone a break from the illness.

Distraction is good.

 

Tracy Baines has written a book about how her daughter’s eating disorder impacted on her family. The book It’s Not about the Food is part memoir part self-help guide. It contains resources she found helpful and quotes from many other parents she either interviewed or who responded to her questionnaire.

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.tracybaines.co.uk

Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon

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Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon1No, not for your favourite tipple, but for a much better treat: when you have skipped on the sand, dipped a toe in the water and chased the seagull that stole your pasty why not … take a stroll up Broad Street to Pug and Puffin. If you are a dog lover, or a dog lover’s friend like me, this is one place that warms the cockles. It is vibrant and imaginative. We‘re talking funky and fun. The doors opened on March 28th, almost a year ago and the shop remains very popular. I don’t own a canine friend, but here is a unique place where dogs can be spoilt and owners stuck for choice. The thoughtful family have placed a water bowl outside too for thirsty pets.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon2Martin Luscombe, (Lyme Regis born), Janet his wife, and Jenny their daughter have combined their artistic talents brilliantly. Naturally, all three love dogs and have owned many breeds, shapes and sizes over the years. This became the inspiration for a delightful shop. Noah, their three and a half year old Pug, is of course reflected in the eye catching sign outside.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon3What can I say about Noah? Cuddly, cute, good natured and with such a handsome face. He looks quite at home relaxing in a dog basket wearing a trendy bandana. Adorable.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon4Lyme Regis is one of those dog friendly, seaside places. The Luscombe’s intention was to reflect this. Inside, there are so many quirky and unusual gifts. What do you choose for that very special pooch in your life? Martin, a self taught artist and his daughter Jenny are the painters and designers behind the products. Janet is the creative needle woman making doggy bandanas, snazzy bags, purses, and vibrant collars.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon5Incredible talent. Oh … and how about a colourful dicky bow for the dog and that very special occasion. The perfect, original present for a friend or a neighbour’s pet. Even your own.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon6Apart from a wide selection of accessories peeping out from shelves, or on papier mache models of dogs, (my most coveted items), there are many other best sellers.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon7Small wooden signs with ‘Lyme Regis’ emblazoned on them are extremely popular with holiday makers or passersby. There is a superb array of colourful doggy cards, (I love the alphabet ones too), and if you need a clock or a new mug, you won’t be disappointed.
So, if the sun is replaced by a sudden shower, and there is no room for two under the umbrella, why not splash out on a ‘pack-a-mac’ for your four legged friend. Don’t forget to pick up, before leaving, a plaque that says ‘I’D RATHER BE WALKING MY PUG’. (Other breeds available of course).

Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon8

Enjoy your visit. Stay a while. Pug and Puffin is a charming, friendly shop. A visual delight. You won’t leave empty handed … and your dog will be eternally grateful.
Meet You At The Pug And Puffin In Lyme Regis By Wendy Breckon9

Cat or Dog Yoga: Get In Touch With Your inner Furry Friend | Great Gifts

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It is bizarre present time. These dog and cat yoga books are perfect for your wacky dog or cat obsessed friend.

dogyoga

Filled with pups and paws in Yoga poses, is anything cuter than dogs doing yoga? Not much apart from cats doing yoga.

catyoga

We think these books are a great present for the friend who has it all, the friend who has a great sense of humour or just your friend who loves their furry friend.  From Prezzybox.com.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Collars and Coats Gala Ball: David Gandy & Amanda Holden Shine

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Battersea Dogs Take Centre Stage at Star-Studded Charity Gala Event

 

A host of celebrities from stage, screen, sport, fiction and fashion sashayed down the red carpet for the fifth annual Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Collars & Coats Gala Ball 2013 on Thursday, 7th November at Battersea Evolution in London, as this year’s event went all “Hollywoof” with its unique homage to the golden age of cinema.

David Gandy Paul O'Grady & Amanda

The star-studded charity bash welcomed renowned personalities through its famous doors, with Battersea Ambassador and international supermodel David Gandy, popular author Dame Jacqueline Wilson OBE, football legend Gary Lineker with his wife Danielle and dance aficionados Craig Revel Horwood and Arlene Philips, all walking the red carpet in support of London’s premier charity event in support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s work to rescue and rehome abandoned dogs and cats. Also in attendance was American music icon Jocelyn Brown. Adding the cute factor was doggy star Pudsey, who was accompanied by his owner Ashleigh Butler.

 

Guests on the red carpet were welcomed by the legendary and unique Battersea dog ‘guard of honour’, as around 50 of the charity’s dogs in need of new homes lined the way.

 

The world-famous event was hosted by Battersea Ambassadors and TV favourites Amanda Holden and Paul O’Grady MBE and was presided over by royalty His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO and Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent.

 

London’s foremost social gathering saw guests treated to an exclusive champagne cocktail reception and sumptuous three-course banquet, as their senses were dazzled by an evening of eclectic entertainment, emotive speeches and a luxurious, one-of-its-kind Auction of Dreams. Guests were also charmed by the posters on display featuring Battersea dogs and staff mimicking legendary movie star mutts, promoting the Hollywoof themed gala ball. Lady & The Tramp and Toto from the Wizard of Oz are some of Hollywood’s most recognisable doggie icons, but this time the stars of the show were some of Battersea’s four-legged friends, who loved ‘pawsing’ for pictures with Battersea staff in place of their better-known canine comrades. The posters accompany new survey results, which show the UK’s favourite dog movie is Disney’s Lady & The Tramp, followed by Marley & Me and the Wizard of Oz.

 

In tribute to the legends of the silver screen there was a foot-tapping set from London show-stoppers The Rat Pack. Guests were transported back to the vintage era of the movies as tribute act The Rat Pack took to the stage to recreate the sounds of legends Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Complete with an impressive 18 piece big band and glamorous showgirls, the audience were treated to a truly unforgettable experience by one of Britain’s longest running and most successful tributes to the cool cats of Hollywood. Also taking to the stage for a rousing set was American soul diva Jocelyn Brown. Adding the classical quotient was internationally acclaimed operatic rock quartet, Passionata, who mesmerised with their repertoire of four-part harmonies.

 

Other highlights included an exclusive auction with an array of luxury, bespoke gifts donated by a variety of UK and international brands as well as the Home’s supporters. Craig Revel Horward took to the stage to encourage guests to show their generosity for the “heads and tails” fundraising drive.

 

Among the sensational prizes was an amazing  money can’t buy opportunity to go for a walk in the park with a top Hollywood movie star, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, swoon at an international supermodel David Gandy or stroll with a chart-topping singer, Mollie King. Bidders can show their support for Battersea and secure a dog walking date with nine famous dog lovers at www.collarsandcoats.org.uk/ebay. The amazing online auction, the first of its kind in the UK, runs until midnight on Friday 8 November.

 

Other auction treats included an all-expenses paid, once in a life time opportunity to attend the red carpet premiere of the ‘Godfather of Hollywood’ Al Pacino’s next film in New York, Wilde Salome, including an exclusive meet and greet with Al Pacino himself. There will also be an experience day at Gaydon for six people, where James Bond’s favourite car Aston Martin is manufactured. The lucky prize bidders will be immersed in a tour of the factory, learn more about the heritage of the brand, dine in the design studio whilst viewing models in their pre-production phase and enjoy a spin in an Aston Martin around the Warwickshire countryside, enjoying the freedom of the road and the spirit of the machine.

 

It costs over £18m to run Battersea each year, and with no government funding, the Collars & Coats Gala Ball is all about helping increase awareness of the important work the charity does each and every day of the year to offer a second chance in life to thousands of animals. Last year nearly 9,000 dogs and cats needed Battersea’s care and attention to help find them the best possible new homes.

 

For further information on the event, please visit http://www.collarsandcoats.org.uk

For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and to pledge donations, please visit www.battersea.org.uk


Pet Loving Celebrities Go ‘Potty’ For Charity Fundraising Event

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Pet loving celebrities including Cheska Hull, Laura Hamilton, Sinitta, Felicity Kendal, Arlene Phillips, Kristina Rihanoff, Lizzie Cundy, Meg Matthews, Liz McClarnon, Hayley Tamaddon and Jenni Falconer have joined forces to support this year’s Blue Cross Tea Party.

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The celebrities have been challenged to showcase their artistic flair by designing their own special edition pet-themed teapot, to be auctioned to raise funds to help sick and homeless pets.  The celebrities are also calling for the public to sign up to host tea parties across the country on Friday 10th May, to help make a difference to the lives of thousands of pets in Blue Cross care.

The fifteen pet loving celebrities supporting the great work of Blue Cross also include much-loved actresses Pam Ferris and Olivia Colman; plus fabulous TV personalities Debbie Bright and Ollie Locke, Made in Chelsea’s finest.

 

The colourful teapot designs range from Cheska Hull, Jenni Falconer and Laura Hamilton’s paw-print motifs, Liz McClarnon’s  creative, cute cat artwork to Arlene Phillips’ pooch ‘Polly’ taking centre stage as the inspiration behind her teapot design.
Lizzie Cundy said: ‘I just love animals, I have two cats at home that I absolutely adore. The work that Blue Cross does really is so important in helping to provide happy homes for thousands of pets a year.”

 

Cheska Hull said: “I am a huge animal lover and it’s heart breaking that there are so many pets out there that don’t have a loving home. The work the Blue Cross does helps to ensure they can get a second chance at life.  So take to your kitchens and get out your mixing bowls – Britain’s pets need you!”

 

Arlene Phillips said; “I have been busy mastering my baking skills for the Blue Cross Tea Party and I want to appeal to all the pet lovers out there to do the same.  I used to really struggle with baking but ever since I did the Great British Bake Off, I love to shut myself away in the kitchen for a few hours whipping up a Victoria sponge or some scones to share with the family. I actually find it very therapeutic, and what’s great is that anyone can have a go to help this fantastic cause. With a huge rise in stray and abandoned pets over the last few years, Blue Cross needs our help more than ever to continue caring for pets in need.”

 

The auction will take place from (2nd-12th May) so don’t miss out on your chance to get involved and bid on your favourite pet-inspired teapot by visiting www.bluecross.org.uk/teapots. To order your free Tea Party host pack full of ideas and recipes, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty.

 

Puppy Bella was recently helped by Blue Cross. Part of an unwanted litter, when Bella first arrived she was covered in fleas and her tender skin was red and sore from scratching. Blue Cross nurses provided the vital veterinary care needed to slowly help Bella’s skin improve and she was cared for by a Blue Cross fosterer whilst she recuperated and returned to health. Bella has now found a permanent home with a family who give her the love she deserves.

 

Blue Cross is a charity dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years, doing what’s needed to give every pet a healthy life in a happy home. They run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses each year.

Blue Cross Tea Party, find out more at www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty

The Best Craft Books For Christmas

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Christmas is fast approaching and our wallets are bracing themselves for the onslaught. There is a more thoughtful and cost effective way to let people know how much they mean to you, and it is fun too: Craft. So Frost Magazine has gathered up some excellent craft books for hours of fun and brilliant, original gifts for the people in your life.

Clangers

An excellent knitting book on the incredibly popular and historical British Television show, Clangers. The Clangers have been around since the 1960s. You can make the Clangers and their entire universe in 15 fun step-by-step projects. The book has original Clanger knitting patterns. Clangers is a very well illustrated book full of imaginative ways to make the Clangers universe. A must buy for fans and interesting for those who are not acquainted.

This fantastic new book will allow you to knit your own Clanger. Choose from Major, Mother, Granny, Small and Tiny. Includes instructions on the Soup Dragon, Iron Chicken and of course the Froglets. There are insider tips and tricks to create your very own Clanger planet with step-by-step instructions for Tiny’s boat and Major’s rocket as well as sets and trees. Learn how to make scenery, backdrops and props, and perfect that distinctive Clanger whistle!

Clangers: Make the Clangers and Their Planet with 15 Easy Step-by-step Projects (Knitting)

Best in Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

I love this book. It shows you how to knit dogs, actual dogs. Whether it is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shar Pei, Lurcher or Greyhound, your favourite breed of dog will probably be in here. And what an awesome present. Your sibling might get your mother something from Boots but imagine telling her you knitted her a DOG. It is an ace in sibling trump cards.

The book is separated into sections such as Toy, Utility, Working, Terriers, Gun Dogs. I think this is an excellent present. Full marks for coolness and imagination.

www.knityourowndog.com

The leading knitting books of 2010 and 2011, Best in Show Dogs & Cats have been outstanding global successes. Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne are back with 25 even more fabulous dog designs. You can knit your own precious pet, reproduce your favourite breed, or even knit the dog you have always desperately wanted.

Best In Show: 25 More Dogs to Knit

Mollie Makes Christmas

This book has over 20 projects to keep you entertained in the run up to Christmas and beyond. Buy this book and learn how to make Heirloom Stockings, Crochet a reindeer, make some festive stationary, knit an iPad cosy and make a Christmas Tree

You can make finger puppets to keep children entertained and cushions to pass out on when exhausted or when you have had too much wine. Fun for you and all the family. A great fun book.

If you’re hooked on crochet, hanker for handmade and would rather create your own unique Christmas than buy from a superstore, then this little book is for you. It perfectly captures the ‘living and loving handmade’ spirit of Mollie Makes magazine, celebrating the world of ‘granny chic’. Featuring over 20 new projects from Mollie Makes magazine’s favourite designers, Christmas showcases a passion for handmade. All the projects are easy to follow with clear step-by-step photographs and instructions, plus handy tips along the way. Many are suitable for beginners, but the Mollie Makes ethos is to give it a go and be proud of the end result. We positively embrace imperfection. Here’s to living and loving a handmade Christmas!

Mollie Makes Christmas: Living and Loving a Handmade Holiday

We Knit You a Merry Christmas

This book is as excellent as it’s name. This adorable book has 20 patterns for festive handmade gifts. A cool Turkey, ‘Let It Snow’ which is adorable snowballs on a sledge. Gingerbread men that look happy, Baa Humbug – cute sheep wearing Christmas hats. The most adorable deer. Santa and a polar bear. A Penguin, Three Wise Men, an Angel… It has everything to make your Christmas fun.

This book also has excellent and easy to follow knitting basics, sewing basics and conversions at the back which are really handy.

Christmas is a time for sharing, and hand-knitted gifts for friends and family are the perfect way to spread a little festive joy. We Knit You a Merry Christmas has something for everyone.

Traditional Christmas characters such as angels, choir boys, Father Christmas and the three kings make great decorations. Or add some fun and laughter to your Christmas celebrations this year with knitted animals such as sheep (‘Baa Humbug’), crocodiles (‘Snappy Christmas’) and Three French Hens, as well as quirkier items like chillies, sledging snowballs and of course the famous pea (‘Ha Pea Christmas’).

So forget gold, frankincense and myrrh and give the gift of knitting this Christmas.

We Knit You a Merry Christmas: 20 Patterns for Festive Handmade Gifts

Four Paws Seeks Face for Laboratory Animal Campaign

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CALLING ALL BEAGLES… FOUR PAWS SEEKS FACE FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL CAMPAIGN!

All animals are wonderful and worthy of celebration, and all animals deserve a life free from pain, fear and suffering, which is why FOUR PAWS continues to campaign on behalf of laboratory (and other abused) animals.

Beagles are no exception…not only are they beautiful (inside and out), they are also the most widely used-and-abused breed of laboratory dog, partly because of their size and short hair (this facilitates vein accessibility) but partly because of their gentle and affectionate nature and great intelligence. Sadly they are also easy and relatively inexpensive to obtain from breeders.

Thousands of beagles are used worldwide in horrific experiments to test drugs and chemicals ranging from green tea to glue; tests involve repeated force-feeding or inhalation for days, months and sometimes years to induce toxic effects such as vomiting, convulsions, seizures, organ failure, paralysis and death. These beautiful dogs have also been exploited for decades in alcohol and tobacco research around the world.

Beagles (and other dogs) neither develop diseases nor respond to drugs in the same way as humans. To overcome key species differences, the disease must therefore be artificially induced, either surgically or chemically, in an attempt to provide a ‘model’ for humans. The dogs suffer not only from the disease itself, but also from the trauma of surgery or the toxic effects of other methods.

FOUR PAWS needs your help to capture the essence of what is so unique and wonderful about the beleaguered beagle. We are looking for a very special image that will be used to spearhead our laboratory animal campaign – it will be reproduced on our website and leaflets and used as part of our international campaigning work, so your beagle will become a star!

Please send us good-quality photos (preferably as an email attachment) of your beloved beagles with a note stating their name, sex, age and a little information about both their background (maybe your beagle companion has been rehomed from a laboratory?) and interests, and of course why you love him/her so much! Please don’t forget to include a brief note giving FOUR PAWS permission to reproduce the image.

Deadline for entries is 1st March, 2012, so start snapping! We can’t wait to hear from you and see photographs of your beagle best friends!

Email: marie-claire.macintosh@four-paws.org.uk
Postal address: c/o Marie-Claire Macintosh, FOUR PAWS, 32-36 Loman street,
London. SE1 0EH.

Tim Austin On Kindle Publishing Christmas Tails.

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Frost: You’ve written a book of short stories for Christmas – tell us a little about them.

Tim: I actually wrote the stories a few years back, as presents for friends and family. There are four stories and each has a different feel and genre. One is a children’s adventure in the style of Enid Blyton, one is a comic farce told in “net speak”, another is a Victorian ghost story.

Frost: But they’re all linked in some way?

Tim: They all contain Dogs, hence the Title; “Christmas Tails”.

Frost: What made you think of publishing them?

Tim: I was encouraged to share them by the people who I’d written them for and people who they had shown them to. The positive reaction took me by surprise, to be honest; I’ve written a few scripts here and there but nothing like this. It was quite flattering so I thought “why not?”
I initially did a short print run of one of the stories, “Dreams”, for local people in Yorkshire. It sold out. I was later told that it had been used in a high school assembly somewhere in Birmingham!

Frost: And now you’ve put the collection on the Kindle Bookstore?

Tim: Yes. It’s also available as a PDF from my website.

Frost: What made you go down the direct publishing route?

Tim: Time and cost, mainly. As an actor chasing work, I’ve little time to be running around after publishers – it’s a bit of a chore, frankly. I thought that publishing online would be the simplest and quickest way of getting the book out there.

Frost: And how have you found self-publishing? Successful? Tricky?

Tim: More difficult than I had expected, to be honest. The trouble with self-publishing is that you’re suddenly responsible for formatting and type-facing the book for use with e-readers (which is a steep learning curve!) as well as marketing the book itself. And the market for e-books is a little different to the market for paperbacks.

Frost: How so?

Tim: It seems to me, having now been poking around the forums and the dozens of e-book related sites on the net, that there is a new culture developing around e-books. The audience is pretty open to new works and new authors but they’re also pretty demanding – pricing is tricky, for example, and they’re not scared of telling you if something doesn’t work!
That said, I’ve found the publishers forum on Amazon very helpful and wonderfully supportive.

Frost: And what about your decision to give 50p per book to Children in Need?

Tim: Well, as much as the money would come in very handy, the important thing to me is having the book in people’s hands and enjoyed. I always feel the tiniest bit guilty that I’ve not been able to give as much as I’d like to the charity over the years and I want to make up for that. It’s a great charity and, with government support ebbing away from many of the causes that Children in Need supports, it just seems like the right thing to do.

Frost: Any future publishing plans?

Tim:
Not immediately. But who knows? If it sells well enough, there may – just may – be a sequel.

Frost: You read it here first.

To buy Christmas Tails, please visit Tim’s main site at www.tim-austin.co.uk or buy it from the Amazon Kindle Bookstore here; Christmas Tails