tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926120444255236662024-02-01T23:17:52.239-08:00Caring for Your Dog: The Essential GuideA companion blog for Caring for Your Dog: The Essential Guide, published by Need2Know Books.Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-58350155855865863632014-02-19T19:30:00.001-08:002014-02-19T19:30:10.511-08:00Say no to EVERY dog in Scotland being muzzled by law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Scottish Government has announced a consultation that could lead to every single dog in the country being muzzled all the time in public places.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMegKTcG0YV1e8fdzDuhURJwyk9NHpEbJX_qCLnFZwmCY0YNwATQMCO3AAzazK1-FK6aM-YFiRXPMwnBJ9R4E3THxhZSA1xd8nOc9zm0JHiJaKsNN-7eeZxVeAgQmeuSiEpo5qViM9qyZK/s1600/Benjy+and+frisbee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMegKTcG0YV1e8fdzDuhURJwyk9NHpEbJX_qCLnFZwmCY0YNwATQMCO3AAzazK1-FK6aM-YFiRXPMwnBJ9R4E3THxhZSA1xd8nOc9zm0JHiJaKsNN-7eeZxVeAgQmeuSiEpo5qViM9qyZK/s320/Benjy+and+frisbee.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Don't muzzle me. I'm innocent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Not only is that cruel, it's totally unnecessary. Most dogs don't attack or bite anyone.<br />
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I also firmly believe that most cases of dogs biting or attacking could have been prevented by parents being more vigilant and people knowing how to behave around dogs. I say that as someone who was the victim of a dog attack.<br />
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I believe that if a dog kills the owner should be charged with manslaughter.<br />
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I believe that if a dog bites someone and its not the person who was bitten's fault they should be muzzled and their owner should be fined.<br />
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If a dog violently attacks someone and that person's not at fault, that dog should be put to sleep and the owner should be charged with assault or GBH.<br />
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I believe that parents who allow their children to be placed in danger around dogs, such as parents who let their 11-year-old children take two fully-grown Dobermans for a walk or to run up to a dog that is tied up and taunt the animal, should be charged with child neglect when their child is attacked or killed by that dog.<br />
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What I don't believe is that EVERY single dog in Scotland should be muzzled, ALL the time, in public places whether they've shown any aggression or not.<br />
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I believe this is an ill-thought out addition to potential legislation that penalises the wrong party for dog attacks - the dogs. Dogs who are punished with the death penalty when they attack whilst their owners who were negligent rarely get prison time.<br />
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Under the legislation - dog owners whose dogs kill won't get the years in prison they deserve.<br />
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- adults in charge of children who are attacked or even killed by dogs because of those adults negligence, won't be charged with child neglect.<br />
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What causes dog attacks?<br />
1. Owners who don't train their dogs properly.<br />
2.Owners who use their dogs as weapons, often by training them to attack or being cruel to them.<br />
3.Parents or guardians who allow their kids to tease dogs, pull their ears, hit them, often when those dogs are tied up.<br />
4.Parents or guardians who leave children in charge of dogs who are much too powerful for them.<br />
Case in point - In 1989, 11-year-old Kelly Lynch was killed by the two Rottweilers she and her friend were walking. The dogs were owned by Kelly's friend's dad (the father of the same friend who was walking the dogs). The dogs were killed. Their owner and Kelly's dad weren't charged with child neglect. This was a tragedy, but one that could have been prevented by the owner of the dogs and Kelly's father not allowing two little girls to take big, strong dogs for a walk unsupervised.<br />
Read more about this tragic case <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/friend-s-dogs-savage-young-girl-to-death-girl-killed-by-pet-dogs-1.632411" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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If you disagree with the compulsory muzzling of every dog - yes, including your St Bernard who is more likely to slobber over someone than bite then, or your chihuahua - and you live in Scotland, please go to the <a href="http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1785&ea.campaign.id=25211" target="_blank">Dogs Trust</a> page to take action.<br />
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Make your thoughts known. Please don't wait until all dogs' lives are ruined forever<br />
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There's also questions about microchipping and dog licenses.<br />
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Please don't let it get to the stage where every dog is muzzled, regardless of whether they've exhibited any signs of aggression, because it's the owners of dogs who bite who should be punished not innocent dogs, many of whom like my dog would be terrified if they were muzzled.<br />
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<b>About me</b><br />
I write fiction and am also the author of Caring for Your Dog The Essential Guide, out now in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-For-Your-Dog-Essential-ebook/dp/B009M69WAW" target="_blank">Kindle</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Your-Dog-Essential-Guide/dp/1861441037" target="_blank">paperback</a>.<br />
I own a rescue dog. My previous dog, also a rescue dog, had epilepsy. If he'd been muzzled when he'd had a seizure it would have killed him because he'd have choked on his own vomit. </div>
Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-24761362301166958252012-10-05T20:53:00.004-07:002012-10-05T20:57:04.030-07:00Caring For Your Dog: The Essential Guide is now on Kindle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hoorah, they've finally kindlelised (is that even a word) my dog book. If it's not a word, then they've put it on Kindle. <br />
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Who would have thought say ten years ago that we would be reading books electronically? Not me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-For-Your-Dog-ebook/dp/B009M69WAW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349495245&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5q3bH2Tyl2zE4R8PzpCtpeHnEw000DIckhNw0lclTG0dcqddtS6E0i_rXwvpBUyH3ZyCPzDzGTIfOjEG-wDXOGBQ4gr3zGrp6gAkRrZZ9AGvfNd5W8dQ2VIq_JnLZcaEz5yPZoKZHMor/s1600/Caring+for+your+dog+book+cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
What are my qualifications for writing this book/ebook?<br />
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Well, I've lived with dogs all my life. I love dogs and also have experience of having an epi dog and caring for rescue dogs. <br />
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When I think of all my happy times, I think of my dogs. </div>
Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-66060210856396520162012-08-02T19:30:00.000-07:002012-08-02T19:30:22.512-07:005 Things you need to know about dogs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5oEhsPtXljgu6B1-rbPRvXFL2ktgGSjIuEk1ziKz9spZlG7TIHL_Z9bS5DON4gmeaowAbiXSsocddOm4ldw7k0yLLPhCFDWh2YJPhDEQWaZlbzb2DbFVOm6uLGrxRZYKXUYlL3u5XFB7/s1600/It's+Tiring+being+a+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5oEhsPtXljgu6B1-rbPRvXFL2ktgGSjIuEk1ziKz9spZlG7TIHL_Z9bS5DON4gmeaowAbiXSsocddOm4ldw7k0yLLPhCFDWh2YJPhDEQWaZlbzb2DbFVOm6uLGrxRZYKXUYlL3u5XFB7/s320/It's+Tiring+being+a+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Every dog needs a place to rest his or her head.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Dogs need a place of their own where they can feel safe. This should be out of the way of you and any children you have. Nobody should intrude in the dog's space. It's his territory. His safe place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. They need consistency. Don't tell your dog one minute that they can't sit up on the couch then tell them they can and complain when they do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Don't confuse cupboard love for real love. There's a reason why so many dogs are over weight because they are fed too much and not exercised enough. My rescue dog Benjy loves carrots. They contain mainly water, are low fat and are great for dogs' teeth. He also turns eating one into a chasing game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. When it comes to commands, keep them simple and consistent. Unless you do your dog will get confused and you might mistake it for disobedience. Use commands like sit, stay, down, drop it. Say these commands in an even voice, don't shout. If someone was shouting at you and you were scared of them, would you do as they said or would you go off with your tail between your legs?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Dogs need a long term commitment from you. This commitment should mean they are exercised regularly, played with and taken to the vet for vaccinations. Every dog deserves to be loved and cared for. Caring for Your Dog: The Essential Guide offers tips on how to do that. </span></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-39899456141621040372012-03-22T20:31:00.000-07:002012-03-22T20:31:20.803-07:00Things never to give you dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It can be difficult knowing what things are safe for a dog to eat.<br />
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Here's a list of things you should NEVER give a dog.<br />
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<ol><li>Chocolate. Dogs are allergic to the chemical in chocolate. If you want to give your dog chocolate, special dog chocolate is available.</li>
<li>Onions. They can make your dog anaemic.</li>
<li>Raisins and grapes. Dogs can't digest them properly and they may become stuck in their digestive tracts.</li>
<li>Human painkillers. Unless your vet says its okay, you should never give your dogs painkillers intended for humans.</li>
<li>Caffeine can damage a dog's heart, lungs, kidneys and central nervous system.</li>
<li>Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found commonly in chewing gum and other products. It can case severe liver damage in dogs. </li>
</ol>Note - if you think your dog may have eaten any of these things, seek immediate medical advice even if your pet pooch seems well. </div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-80425719740014119202011-08-15T18:46:00.000-07:002011-08-15T18:51:31.478-07:00Some great tips for dog owners<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtoxH71MpyGjM7p1BNOSSDo-MVk8e3TJb_5AQ_nvSXkElaucrH9jfAIsDpxWMNMbPTK0hEoqdoJyNtXB-aJr2u-rNQXcCETxAIViLxiH2RegFu0zkBeHTYFO2JMBu4eZrjojihdpqDdol/s1600/rsz_dog_and_cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtoxH71MpyGjM7p1BNOSSDo-MVk8e3TJb_5AQ_nvSXkElaucrH9jfAIsDpxWMNMbPTK0hEoqdoJyNtXB-aJr2u-rNQXcCETxAIViLxiH2RegFu0zkBeHTYFO2JMBu4eZrjojihdpqDdol/s320/rsz_dog_and_cat.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_75vk9u="235" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cats and dogs can live in perfect harmony</span></td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of mine was moving in with her partner. The thing was she had three dogs and wasn't sure they would get on with his two cats.</span> <br />
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<div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="219" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another person I know was wondering whether to get a Border Collie as a family pet because they are dogs that need a lot of exercise. </span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="221" style="font-family: Arial;">As dog owners (hey, my dog Benjy says, you don't own me), we all face problems at one time or another.</span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="222" style="font-family: Arial;">The Dogs Trust, who promise NEVER to put a healthy dog down, have a range of fact sheets on their site.</span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="222" style="font-family: Arial;">They cover topics like -</span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="222" style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetfelinefriendly10.pdf">Introducing your dog to cats</a></span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetgreyhounds09.pdf">Caring for a greyhound or lurcher</a> </span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetnewbaby10.pdf">Introducing your dog to your baby</a></span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetbeatingboredom10.pdf">Beating Boredom</a></span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetbarking10.pdf">Barking </a></span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><span closure_uid_ldgpo6="367" style="font-family: Arial;">For the full list of topics, go to the <a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/factsheetsanddownloads/default.aspx">Fact Sheet list page</a>. And, remember if you want to thank them for the amazing free advice they offer and the invaluable work they do in the UK think about <a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/sponsor/default.aspx">sponsoring one of their dogs</a> or buying something from their <a href="http://www.dogstrustgifts.com/">online shop</a>. </span></div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="220"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ldgpo6="216"><br />
</div></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-14391230903438193192011-08-02T12:29:00.000-07:002011-08-02T12:35:33.855-07:00Tips on caring for your dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following links are on my publisher's website and contain execrpts from Caring for Your Dog: The Essential Guide.</span></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/pages/Puppy%252dProofing-Your-Home.html">Puppy Proofing Your Home</a></span></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a closure_uid_ccsjo0="286" href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/pages/Poisonous-and-Dangerous-Foods-for-Dogs.html">Foods that are poisonous to dogs </a></span></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/pages/Has-Your-Dog-Got-a-Pet-Passport%3F.html">Have dog will travel - get a pet passport</a></span></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><span closure_uid_ccsjo0="315" style="font-family: Arial;"><a closure_uid_qp8sqn="177" href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/pages/Common-Dog-Behavioural-Problems.html">Common Behavioural problems (and how to solve them)</a> </span></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
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</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189" closure_uid_wd735="198"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Your-Dog-Essential-Guide/dp/1861441037/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312313528&sr=8-1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr_v1YqmSaRj_-zkvcj06CiaTt1-N3qDxH4KFBTcHv_fKAo08hhBRfTL1_UOo0Qiwt8-2wvKs5AGGWtRqBss-Z-bZMzcWllV2Duemmd4qBc1tkdESIJEC0xliuonaJMhV4etoMzp02d0y/s1600/dog+book+cover+small.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
</div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189" closure_uid_wd735="204"><div closure_uid_wd735="199"><span closure_uid_wd735="205" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caring for Your Dog: The Essential Guide is available in most good books shops and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Your-Dog-Essential-Guide/dp/1861441037/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312313528&sr=8-1">Aamzon</a>. It's also available on the <a href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/products/Caring-For-Your-Dog-the-Essential-Guide.html">publisher's website</a>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It costs £9.99 and is also available as an e-book.</span> </div></div><div closure_uid_ccsjo0="189"><br />
</div></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-43260349396446230072011-06-29T17:25:00.000-07:002011-08-02T13:08:07.474-07:00Why you should mocrochip your pet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Missing Dog Found After Five Years</span></em> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhoLluKlp7QdCzsJEDLulKzIyHxFTtdFmwUo7kH0PR6u6FmG_GY-g1Nhyphenhyphen4wdCIS9PSs6I3T6506KTj2eatdLTVZYkSpp-olwD-Jrzl8AGtdv8m2e3nu-FX4tSQvBlq9yrmBNvxZj1SU65/s1600/baxter-and-craig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhoLluKlp7QdCzsJEDLulKzIyHxFTtdFmwUo7kH0PR6u6FmG_GY-g1Nhyphenhyphen4wdCIS9PSs6I3T6506KTj2eatdLTVZYkSpp-olwD-Jrzl8AGtdv8m2e3nu-FX4tSQvBlq9yrmBNvxZj1SU65/s1600/baxter-and-craig.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five years ago, Craig Kline was in a car crash and he broke his neck. His 11-month-old puppy Baxter was with him and run off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For months the Kline family searched for their missing pooch, without any luck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They thought they would never see him again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then five years later, they got a call. Baxter had been found and thanks to the microchip they knew he belonged to the Klines. </span><br />
<div closure_uid_deewdw="202"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_deewdw="198"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now Baxter is back home, acting like he'd never left.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story was brought to you by get your dog chipped dot com.</span><br />
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<div closure_uid_deewdw="187"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read the full story here -</span> <a href="http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/06/lost-dog-found-after-five-years-on-the-run/">http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/06/lost-dog-found-after-five-years-on-the-run/</a></div><div closure_uid_deewdw="187"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_deewdw="187"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note - on some occasions, microchips can fail or be lost as happened in this case </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-11371288"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-11371288</span></a></div><div closure_uid_deewdw="187"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's estimated that 100 pets a year have a missing or failed microchip on arrival in the UK. Always get your microchip scanned by your vet to make sure it is working properly before you leave. </span></div></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-21253520293081468922011-05-17T16:55:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:55:45.645-07:00The brilliance of dogs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I read about dog teachers being nominated for an award, I had visions of dogs with glasses in classrooms teaching kids their ABC.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEUlVYFGRXIFTn7VChry8-S5yC9Rya7ondqOC0tBd4SAUc_SloRViiZyEsXU-p78T0zHtZnpb3yJ-JmRZRISniiFb8ps_rumsoElWxdpKLzrtMpEFOA1pC250XZSlxkDIRAOYTBbH-_9Y/s1600/Dog_teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEUlVYFGRXIFTn7VChry8-S5yC9Rya7ondqOC0tBd4SAUc_SloRViiZyEsXU-p78T0zHtZnpb3yJ-JmRZRISniiFb8ps_rumsoElWxdpKLzrtMpEFOA1pC250XZSlxkDIRAOYTBbH-_9Y/s1600/Dog_teacher.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the real story - </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13367745"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13367745</span></a></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-3810131674904147052011-05-17T16:02:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:06:28.701-07:00First aid for a sprained paw<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZS98MJnw31EP8TCccHvoUL-n2XgEzL4Ach3HhBM9EFzI7Fy3T9oYjak1GjnOiH0ruxsvSjg-llfOyx7c6ePN1G4FLBe_3yHNNxNKq_VXHjjOd4y5MQrBuCZrgnjnA3y59OOhh5FDxDvu/s1600/sprained+paw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZS98MJnw31EP8TCccHvoUL-n2XgEzL4Ach3HhBM9EFzI7Fy3T9oYjak1GjnOiH0ruxsvSjg-llfOyx7c6ePN1G4FLBe_3yHNNxNKq_VXHjjOd4y5MQrBuCZrgnjnA3y59OOhh5FDxDvu/s320/sprained+paw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be a difficult time when your dog hurts himself. It’s not like a human being where you can ask where it hurts, is it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what do you do in those first vital minutes before you can seek veterinary advice? In this case I called <a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/giving/membership/faq/default.aspx#faq111111">vetfone</a>, which is a 24-hour service available to Dogs Trust members that is run by vets. When you call you will be put through to a veterinary nurse. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some tips for dealing with a sprained paw - </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When your dog sprains his paw he will yelp and hold the paw up. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First you need to check if there’s a break or any ligament damage. Check along the length of the paw by touching it as gently as you can. Is he in any pain when you touch a certain area? Is he reluctant to let you touch an area of his paw? </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check his nails to see if any of them are broken. This may be the reason why he is holding his paw up. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your dog needs to rest for seven days. This means NO running or jumping about in that time, so short lead walks only. This can be difficult to do if your dog is as active as mine. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try and keep the paw warm. If your dog will tolerate it, wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and put that next to the paw. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there’s no improvement after a day then take your dog to the vet. He may need anti-inflammatories or to have the paw x-rayed. Or the vet may need to immobilise the paw. </span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note – The advice give here is NO substitute for going to your vet.</span> </div></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-40592757521218008792011-05-01T08:19:00.000-07:002011-05-01T13:18:17.394-07:00What do you buy a dog for his birthday?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Benjy’s 3<sup>rd</sup> birthday and because of the poor start he had in life (he went into a dog home when he was 7 months old after his owners lost their house, was adopted once for a week and then taken back by the woman who adopted him, until we brought him to his forever home when he was 17months old) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">love to spoil him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We managed to get him an edible rawhide dog birthday card </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFFf4X7T3NZreqR6uiRX30CbaEG1LoLedtQcMyXE7jcPlLZvzK4D8UmhSnUyK-M_3znHf9NxTYGORBHTkk1SRu_YrxgWzflpEtkLCofqL-Ip37Od2nVazLPgxU51KDR-_CaC-y8rM63Ql/s1600/dog+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFFf4X7T3NZreqR6uiRX30CbaEG1LoLedtQcMyXE7jcPlLZvzK4D8UmhSnUyK-M_3znHf9NxTYGORBHTkk1SRu_YrxgWzflpEtkLCofqL-Ip37Od2nVazLPgxU51KDR-_CaC-y8rM63Ql/s320/dog+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tube of tennis balls (he loves balls).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4-UhVZZLn-3nv9wI__F7I_K93NTpI568-_qDNiMqdIJWJWFTZJm6FYSJAHrhqnk2NUlUGNYGBNYtPF3ZjeLggXaIP23FHQEEOA2jJTc7v02MbUutTY_oK0H7SY4RyR4v-Tcxo9FP-TrI/s1600/slzenger-tennis-balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4-UhVZZLn-3nv9wI__F7I_K93NTpI568-_qDNiMqdIJWJWFTZJm6FYSJAHrhqnk2NUlUGNYGBNYtPF3ZjeLggXaIP23FHQEEOA2jJTc7v02MbUutTY_oK0H7SY4RyR4v-Tcxo9FP-TrI/s1600/slzenger-tennis-balls.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogolates (specially formulated for dogs and made out of rice, fruit and vegetables and carob as a chocolate substitute). Note - dogs should NEVER be given human chocolate. It can kill them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDSIUsQDLYmZTVg4J5ajYgcWhb-C_hFXocJYB9OZWasczsiJpRxoentFACQgFZOz5ALQv6tnBQVLus0OCA-2yGYJj7g6wAKzs4_d4zZQevG67DFdmckmphBaAdPcfD8cLVYBnayv2oqK9/s1600/dogolates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDSIUsQDLYmZTVg4J5ajYgcWhb-C_hFXocJYB9OZWasczsiJpRxoentFACQgFZOz5ALQv6tnBQVLus0OCA-2yGYJj7g6wAKzs4_d4zZQevG67DFdmckmphBaAdPcfD8cLVYBnayv2oqK9/s320/dogolates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you buy your dog on his birthday? </span>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-58881183566609978512011-04-25T18:06:00.000-07:002011-04-25T18:06:19.921-07:00The amazing things dogs can do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3MhoDWSN1AdKlhdv5lpPFOYQ1OCpPsd657xhX_JyY-_W-cDgKb4jMbamEAoBXmS6PwPlGpeSSz8i2CFa4DyAjb1JcnUTkksqU24yzSx5Dzm4EcJnz2hd2djyIIOpv4bcauq-XbWEmRwl/s1600/DogDoctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3MhoDWSN1AdKlhdv5lpPFOYQ1OCpPsd657xhX_JyY-_W-cDgKb4jMbamEAoBXmS6PwPlGpeSSz8i2CFa4DyAjb1JcnUTkksqU24yzSx5Dzm4EcJnz2hd2djyIIOpv4bcauq-XbWEmRwl/s320/DogDoctor.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dogs are brilliant, we all know that. But did you know that our four legged friends can also do other amazing things like –</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1-Sniff out cancer. In a study carried out by scientists, a specially trained retriever managed to sniff out bowel cancer in patients in an amazing 9 out of 10 cases – <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8293118/Dogs-can-sniff-out-bowel-cancer.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8293118/Dogs-can-sniff-out-bowel-cancer.html</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0112_060112_dog_cancer.html">http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0112_060112_dog_cancer.html</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2-Tell when someone with epilepsy is going to have a seizure. These dogs are called seizure alert dogs. When they know their owners are about to have an epileptic fit they give them a signal some minutes before so that the person can make sure they are in a safe place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Read more about them here - <a href="http://www.support-dogs.org.uk/SADog.htm">http://www.support-dogs.org.uk/SADog.htm</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3-Tell when someone has low blood sugar. They can then alert their owner who can take the appropriate measures. <a href="http://type1diabetes.about.com/b/2009/06/27/dogs-trained-to-sniff-out-low-blood-sugar.htm">http://type1diabetes.about.com/b/2009/06/27/dogs-trained-to-sniff-out-low-blood-sugar.htm</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOlNQ1SDBWFqjhLgjdmUipXegk5W_ASKjTnpkRYc3Ely_J1d5sVbz7B4K4NCjmI5FVChBRhnQmcvBqFAJKVr-Y-N0DaVL3v4HUVyxjDv8WjQbuhDctTbpSwbq5KCbOye_hWpo74TRdqYM/s1600/cash+machine+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOlNQ1SDBWFqjhLgjdmUipXegk5W_ASKjTnpkRYc3Ely_J1d5sVbz7B4K4NCjmI5FVChBRhnQmcvBqFAJKVr-Y-N0DaVL3v4HUVyxjDv8WjQbuhDctTbpSwbq5KCbOye_hWpo74TRdqYM/s1600/cash+machine+dog.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4-Get money out of a cash machine. Dogs are trained to do this for their disabled owners. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Read about the amazing assistance dog Endal here - <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/extract-from-endal-by-allen--sandra-parton">http://www.readersdigest.com.au/extract-from-endal-by-allen--sandra-parton</a> </span></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-81716209198531342042011-04-21T20:46:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:56:01.037-07:00When it's hot...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to keep cool by running through the wild garlic</span> - <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GH-hSOo8fPjFfn3yNWt1Jn0ELBZy1ZJ1ysDlkBCfkrG0mkLuVc9_TmATaPlGGtux4qdq8MOuvnZVtKabiXVTkpg-uJxc2CVqiiHUQyQByBQFjAp_WDLCF0-pvv0xu_AEvmFqsBmm78LR/s1600/head%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GH-hSOo8fPjFfn3yNWt1Jn0ELBZy1ZJ1ysDlkBCfkrG0mkLuVc9_TmATaPlGGtux4qdq8MOuvnZVtKabiXVTkpg-uJxc2CVqiiHUQyQByBQFjAp_WDLCF0-pvv0xu_AEvmFqsBmm78LR/s320/head%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There are other ways to keep your dog cool this summer -<br />
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ALWAYS have fresh water available. Change this water regularly and if its outside then make sure its in the shade.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pV8JySW7kRCyD5CG8VvkhTcjE3j9V5Saxe3kKQ8J9Tb0MpqNWlBKzo-voZq6xGCuiz9PGrOWxEwY20Qm8B7CmwJWF7F58Q5wP4XkHeYvvm5-4wHvQXLZeUiSest1qljgduTwdNoC8aFr/s1600/Dogs_Die_in_Hot_cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pV8JySW7kRCyD5CG8VvkhTcjE3j9V5Saxe3kKQ8J9Tb0MpqNWlBKzo-voZq6xGCuiz9PGrOWxEwY20Qm8B7CmwJWF7F58Q5wP4XkHeYvvm5-4wHvQXLZeUiSest1qljgduTwdNoC8aFr/s320/Dogs_Die_in_Hot_cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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NEVER leave a dog in a hot car. Ask yourself - do I really need to take him in the car with me? If the answer is NO, then DON'T. Every summer dogs die in hot cars. Don't let your dog be one of them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFjKREjK_o_PcZziCkisk2eexgsif50-9wSSylsMtJDanTRO6xnUePvz-d0wzM3GwZWPMjVOXCiu-jd5gNp4ll-hqQRGbOExQR2MNj6iv13mt58KZ0Tuup3SjRLKBViaqxjlBH7H8N46z/s1600/rock+sulphur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFjKREjK_o_PcZziCkisk2eexgsif50-9wSSylsMtJDanTRO6xnUePvz-d0wzM3GwZWPMjVOXCiu-jd5gNp4ll-hqQRGbOExQR2MNj6iv13mt58KZ0Tuup3SjRLKBViaqxjlBH7H8N46z/s1600/rock+sulphur.jpg" /></a></div>ADD some Rock Sulphur to your dog's water. It will keep it cool. Available from most pet shops.<br />
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SWIMMING is great exercise for dogs and will keep them cool. If there's no water nearby, then how about filling up a child's paddling pool? You're dog will love you.<br />
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NEVER leave dog food out. Cover it and pt it in the fridge if he won't eat it. You wouldn't want to eat food that flies have been all over, so why would you dog?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i6du9qtalljw5YjP4K_o3Vx0X3J4Oh13ALdTp19e_pd-slSq38rEiDl8T3H6NjB1JIBY_FwuW7Pol8cV-TzsAZnKdHDS2jx5Z1-tuGfxEZ-e92rFymu2DuSG6SK9j5EwQ4PaysV0COcQ/s1600/carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i6du9qtalljw5YjP4K_o3Vx0X3J4Oh13ALdTp19e_pd-slSq38rEiDl8T3H6NjB1JIBY_FwuW7Pol8cV-TzsAZnKdHDS2jx5Z1-tuGfxEZ-e92rFymu2DuSG6SK9j5EwQ4PaysV0COcQ/s320/carrots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carrots aren't just for bunnies</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> CARROTS are great for keeping dogs cool. Remember to peel first. They have a high water content. Keep in fridge beforehand to ensure the carrots are as cold as they can be.Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-51095571332904695032011-03-20T18:05:00.000-07:002011-03-20T18:12:16.455-07:00Watch out colourants about!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-EjUQNyBrEYoiEpZ-SZIz1WsJ0iwtRlsmpN5aNAm4R4HclOVY-hyO30ql6jZO3Kdqcrfh48FoMMJjnXOqKji8HQ_1QQBsjUR679XbMujx8Br2jlUT3FLuEv0kHss141edRK2915rBqDY/s1600/sad+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-EjUQNyBrEYoiEpZ-SZIz1WsJ0iwtRlsmpN5aNAm4R4HclOVY-hyO30ql6jZO3Kdqcrfh48FoMMJjnXOqKji8HQ_1QQBsjUR679XbMujx8Br2jlUT3FLuEv0kHss141edRK2915rBqDY/s320/sad+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Benjy has been as sick as a dog this week. After narrowing down what he had eaten, we think the colourant Copper Sulphate (spelt Sulfate in the US) that was in the two different types of chews he ate, may have been what made him sick.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On looking up this colourant online, I was shocked to find out the following -</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's used to clean swimming pools of algae and pests.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not toxic in small amounts - </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">My worry is that means an accumulate amount over time is not good for you, or your dog. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">From now on, I will be avoiding giving Benjy anything containing this stuff. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thankfully, he is better now.</span>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-52128647142650208282011-03-12T18:01:00.000-08:002011-03-12T19:10:43.930-08:00We didn’t rescue him, he rescued us!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">We got Benjy from Glasgow Dogs’ Trust and were so lucky to get him. We’d lost our beloved dog Vic recently and were devastated. Neither of us could go to the bathroom unless the other one was outside. We’d be constantly crying and when we weren’t crying, there was a awful numbness about us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Food had lost all its taste. We’d lost all reason for living. There were times I genuinely thought of walking into the sea until it submerged me and I was no more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Getting Benjy brought us back from the brink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc8rYtumghVz2yXUMg9cGK_nbpUdDAWGJ4tEM6dUU4OeV5TwbXDqkJav1JJuj2Y987VnEtQ5uJYwryshkbvw1avUmx6x9U-n1R20uJII5BdIq3SjsEOXt_Kve9YuxxOafERDGrijYB1Fv/s1600/Benjy+on+his+first+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc8rYtumghVz2yXUMg9cGK_nbpUdDAWGJ4tEM6dUU4OeV5TwbXDqkJav1JJuj2Y987VnEtQ5uJYwryshkbvw1avUmx6x9U-n1R20uJII5BdIq3SjsEOXt_Kve9YuxxOafERDGrijYB1Fv/s320/Benjy+on+his+first+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe getting a rescue dog could change your life too?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Here are 5 good reasons to get a rescue dog -</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">1-You will be helping to put an end to the spread of puppy farms where puppies are raised in cages and treated like factory farmed cattle. Many dogs are so ill they have to be put down shortly after someone buys one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">People can be conned into buying a puppy from a puppy farm, by ads in local newspapers offering puppies for sale. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">This is the reality of a puppy farm (I'm sorry for showing it, but all us animal lovers need to spread the word –</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jWAF8GxL4aA/TXwk7cN6XZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/NxoPMzgOEKc/s1600/Puppy+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jWAF8GxL4aA/TXwk7cN6XZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/NxoPMzgOEKc/s320/Puppy+farm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks go to the Elia Hammon Trust for this distressing photograph- <a href="http://www.celiahammond.org/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.celiahammond.org</span></a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">2-Unless dogs find homes they may end up being put down. Dogs Trust <a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/">http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/</a> have a policy of never putting a healthy dog to sleep. Not every body that takes in animals can say that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Fact – In 2008, eleven unwanted dogs were put down each day in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Northern Ireland</place></country-region>. Note - Unwanted does not mean they were in bad health. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">3-It can seem unmanageable trying to change the world into a more caring one. By getting a rescue dog you will be making a difference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">4-Those who have rescue dogs say that they are more loving and loyal than other dogs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">5-Usually the charities you get dogs from can tell you about the dog’s personality. That way you know what to expect from your four legged friend. </span></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-69783728909100882922011-03-07T16:56:00.000-08:002011-03-07T16:56:45.741-08:00Tips for an easy move with your dog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGk_1faUyLXZN2STvykTVo35wofY2hNlMkQW3MY-GNlk_-Zazp0QVcO3-n7DzLjpvpa7IzOyKbUqdJThOgxU5gPQMowm06kVnfk1GsjRIKqjs6cl0gRQaEstXIAdLyY87nHQRTFFVOAj1/s1600/box+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGk_1faUyLXZN2STvykTVo35wofY2hNlMkQW3MY-GNlk_-Zazp0QVcO3-n7DzLjpvpa7IzOyKbUqdJThOgxU5gPQMowm06kVnfk1GsjRIKqjs6cl0gRQaEstXIAdLyY87nHQRTFFVOAj1/s320/box+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He'll always find something to do whilst your busy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Moving home can be stressful for you and your dog. How do you make it easier on your four legged friend? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's some tips - </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Make sure before you move that you register with the local vet and take any relevant paperwork with you, including details of inoculations and any medications your dog is on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If your pet is on medication make sure you get enough to do you way beyond your next vet visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you are taking your dog with you in the car, ensure that they are secured in the back with a dog harness or doggy seatbelt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alternatively use a dog carrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loose dogs can cause accidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t alter your dog’s routine simply because you have moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dogs like routine; it makes them feel safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If at all possible, take your four legged friend to visit his new home before you move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way he can get used to his new surroundings and smells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If the previous occupant of the house had pets make sure you give the place a good airing and a good clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is you and your pet’s home now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There is a spray and diffuser you can get which mimics the smell of a mother dog and makes your pooch feel safe, like he did when he was a puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is the hormone that a mother dog secretes for the first week of giving birth to her puppies to make them feel safe and secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also get it in collar form and various people I know who have used it thoroughly recommend it, although it can be expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-29072182290070012072011-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:002011-03-07T14:50:01.697-08:005 Things you should never give your dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2wZ8FKvfZTgoPrYBCaGDoHWWhtVftWWFH2aFBPUQ3kJwwumEqvpDLITF7tC6YwLr3ZG3rHn5c1F8utXMZcLbK3Y8XI9B3-VzwfKhGY11MvvWQKqFe5-j66800V71axkSo5fNWfHbUqKK/s1600/dangerous+to+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2wZ8FKvfZTgoPrYBCaGDoHWWhtVftWWFH2aFBPUQ3kJwwumEqvpDLITF7tC6YwLr3ZG3rHn5c1F8utXMZcLbK3Y8XI9B3-VzwfKhGY11MvvWQKqFe5-j66800V71axkSo5fNWfHbUqKK/s320/dangerous+to+dogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the five most dangerous things for any dog -</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Human chocolate - this can poison them and kill them. Never leave any where your dog can get them. This includes Easter Eggs and boxes of chocolates that you think they can't get at.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Rat poison - this is very appetising for dogs as it tastes nice and sweet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Alcohol - dogs should never be given this. This can raise their heart rate and cause them to have heart failure. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Cooked bones - these can splitter and choke your dog. If you really must give your dog bones, make them raw ones. But, even these can be dangerous too as they are uncooked they may contain bacterial that can give your dog food poisoning. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Human medicine - This includes painkillers and vitamins. Many are highly toxic to dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note - If your dog eats any of these things, contact your vet immediately. Delays could kill your dog. </span>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-57857399875189202952011-03-07T14:33:00.001-08:002011-03-07T14:36:42.055-08:00How do you put a diaper on a dog?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNCmVTjcvH3mHXYhD8uHiKcnhi8s26D8SDEhge2gXgLXnp78tdJSWpL-e7SPoDG2DB3E4BI0KVeobO60K-NXJar0NQIVvAOBexb5FFIP6tmwn1emNzj9ow1VzCNfm5v0g56Y9iBDVDlEx/s1600/dog+diaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNCmVTjcvH3mHXYhD8uHiKcnhi8s26D8SDEhge2gXgLXnp78tdJSWpL-e7SPoDG2DB3E4BI0KVeobO60K-NXJar0NQIVvAOBexb5FFIP6tmwn1emNzj9ow1VzCNfm5v0g56Y9iBDVDlEx/s1600/dog+diaper.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">My mum and dad recently adopted a toy poodle called Luna. They took her to the vet to see about getting her spayed as she’s 11-months-old and in her second season. The vet told them she was too small to have the surgery and it would have to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">So, twenty-years after they changed their last nappy, they are back to putting one on their latest arrival.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">They bought nappies for newborns and they are still too big!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s the problem of where to put the tail! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Every morning they wake up and she has somehow wriggled out of the nappy. </span></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-73583646674174578362011-03-01T12:26:00.000-08:002011-03-01T12:26:04.291-08:00Woman returns rescue dog because it clashes with her curtains!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could not believe this - </span><a href="http://jailhouselawyersblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/woman-returned-rescue-dog-because-it.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://jailhouselawyersblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/woman-returned-rescue-dog-because-it.html</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could anyone be that shallow?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This woman should be ashamed of herself for being such a pathetic, callous human being.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got Benjy after a woman adopted him from the Dogs Trust, then brought him back because she couldn't be bothered putting drops in his ears. Her stupidity brought us joy.</span> Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-12303487303151262332011-03-01T11:04:00.000-08:002011-03-01T11:04:34.200-08:00My mum and dad's wee surpriseFor the past twelve years, my mum and dad have had Rottweilers. But, these days they have rescued toy poodle called Lucky. So far, she's had THREE different homes and she's only 11-months-old.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjNUijHvVWg1k43cD_5mBx-Ee2d1IibHJ5Dhii-wTnliEmflpWPjNwkl9U0BljlWCuQRLmsRg0fu0uOrzt2JIdoa2B98eguKnOPt7Ks4qbhd7ixiCBnWVvxazWj7nXN-XnimpklM0vUgI/s1600/Lucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjNUijHvVWg1k43cD_5mBx-Ee2d1IibHJ5Dhii-wTnliEmflpWPjNwkl9U0BljlWCuQRLmsRg0fu0uOrzt2JIdoa2B98eguKnOPt7Ks4qbhd7ixiCBnWVvxazWj7nXN-XnimpklM0vUgI/s320/Lucky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Isn't she a darling?Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-5500998739060064392011-03-01T10:56:00.000-08:002011-03-01T10:56:22.023-08:00Benjy in a magazine<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Benjy is developing diva like tastes. He won't drink out of a normal dog dish - he insists on a fountain - and will only eat the finest fillet steak (it has to be cit first).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's because there's an article on him in this month's Dogs Monthly Magazine.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy4maDLmx62rUhm0xk561ducq9oys-3omH35ytyqoHwl4DujEUmR7w06f2EeY-lFb03iYmRzyjyA6w0GGS00QvMB73pM_tKEuL3nIj9S90cIqQnKyazUDZFcTN09n2ro6k_dgs-9FU0aZ/s1600/Benjy+dogs+Monthly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy4maDLmx62rUhm0xk561ducq9oys-3omH35ytyqoHwl4DujEUmR7w06f2EeY-lFb03iYmRzyjyA6w0GGS00QvMB73pM_tKEuL3nIj9S90cIqQnKyazUDZFcTN09n2ro6k_dgs-9FU0aZ/s320/Benjy+dogs+Monthly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next he'll be demanding an agent to get on the old dog and bone!</div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-77219768166688860142011-02-10T16:33:00.000-08:002011-02-10T16:33:55.951-08:00It's tiring being a dog...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0sB4hMaN_2K1bqhi1HAiDCiGofwxdgxc_Nx_kx2b3PTmuLj9jHY5V0g43IYrMN33n6hOOpm8qdx4hLSQTeCyQ6xLwJ-ud9RbqUq7jA-JS-NQuma2XmH66WXVTgqnYoVqv8q4SPdjlduK/s1600/It%2527s+Tiring+being+a+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0sB4hMaN_2K1bqhi1HAiDCiGofwxdgxc_Nx_kx2b3PTmuLj9jHY5V0g43IYrMN33n6hOOpm8qdx4hLSQTeCyQ6xLwJ-ud9RbqUq7jA-JS-NQuma2XmH66WXVTgqnYoVqv8q4SPdjlduK/s320/It%2527s+Tiring+being+a+dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or maybe he's just bored because I've been reading some of my writing out to him!</span>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-44297248318171774262011-01-23T17:32:00.000-08:002011-01-23T17:32:49.201-08:00Losing a pet<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grief is such a timeless thing. Over a year ago, we lost our beautiful dog Vic who had epilepsy. Even now that we have a new dog, we still think we see and hear Vic everywhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We recently got a new bin for our kitchen. A big black bin. Whenever we'd see it, we would think it was Vic who was a big black dog. We had to buy stickers to put on the bin so we wouldn't make that mistake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talking to other dog lovers, its clear that we are not alone in seeing our deceased pets everywhere.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no timeline on grief. Nor should we feel guilty that we are grieving for an animal and not a human being, because it shows we have compassion. It also shows that we don't value animal life less than human life, which is I believe, something to be proud of.</span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmekxyCBQBh35myiUV7mYaPj3WRwJmK-2PUkz48fxqMlAbkdwtRwNN6AlN4k4pEOmr24ie_5foFjNoDgyeQVxadhiJA4M13L3VpOCrlf6JJwxrHmuqcZMixdWcPVgb8shsQlJGiqPVoNj/s1600/Vic+with+ice+cream+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmekxyCBQBh35myiUV7mYaPj3WRwJmK-2PUkz48fxqMlAbkdwtRwNN6AlN4k4pEOmr24ie_5foFjNoDgyeQVxadhiJA4M13L3VpOCrlf6JJwxrHmuqcZMixdWcPVgb8shsQlJGiqPVoNj/s320/Vic+with+ice+cream+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vic with one of his favourite things - ice cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-25492489055200472282011-01-20T08:52:00.000-08:002011-01-20T08:53:29.012-08:00Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-24411318493106995102011-01-18T09:21:00.000-08:002011-01-18T09:24:48.526-08:00We have many animals on this island..Here's a lion -<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2ORkPZ0QnyuZFmCgTzOftT_SuDWEQWpSorwvfoGluTRtt17_tGlHTV12wphyphenhyphenzfHnWTosBZsT03wj0th22a232gyL5LP3ThHXtqP5eJ2P3zdUv6hTfLOfYarha7dkBA-K71Xor3wVF9qs/s1600/lion+rock+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2ORkPZ0QnyuZFmCgTzOftT_SuDWEQWpSorwvfoGluTRtt17_tGlHTV12wphyphenhyphenzfHnWTosBZsT03wj0th22a232gyL5LP3ThHXtqP5eJ2P3zdUv6hTfLOfYarha7dkBA-K71Xor3wVF9qs/s320/lion+rock+pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and here's a crocodile...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkED-x4VR8ibtx9IrfBfwk4UAei_Hg3IgBp3RWeCHLLy7vMJw-aqfI2FeJbNCX953R4Bi45nU1MqBW6NQ73R-SaK_f2Ck5rIYjGPq4SYd_QaiEGwNOpUB6A9cx3VPYC1NQ_Wzvnwvtcsku/s1600/crocodile+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkED-x4VR8ibtx9IrfBfwk4UAei_Hg3IgBp3RWeCHLLy7vMJw-aqfI2FeJbNCX953R4Bi45nU1MqBW6NQ73R-SaK_f2Ck5rIYjGPq4SYd_QaiEGwNOpUB6A9cx3VPYC1NQ_Wzvnwvtcsku/s1600/crocodile+rock.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592612044425523666.post-63655656014590555772011-01-18T09:13:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:14:18.492-08:00It's finally here!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4dth8pU13ZI98tgdJFZeIb3egCUlkWrbbQ1J4S7JN9K-czjWPeqWw0SJlOlNZCCggzHCxeAg089digGNlHmb9JnkPziwDiSjLLltoGDTcfmgxrtlMG6Jb3tEGqEht0Ux-9IBWGUHzMpa/s1600/Dog+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4dth8pU13ZI98tgdJFZeIb3egCUlkWrbbQ1J4S7JN9K-czjWPeqWw0SJlOlNZCCggzHCxeAg089digGNlHmb9JnkPziwDiSjLLltoGDTcfmgxrtlMG6Jb3tEGqEht0Ux-9IBWGUHzMpa/s1600/Dog+book+cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today I received my author copies of <a href="http://www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/products/Caring-For-Your-Dog-the-Essential-Guide.html">Caring for Your Dog: The Essential Guide</a>. This was a day I never thought I would see because the owners of the imprint Need2Know books, Forward Press, had gone into liquidation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I wrote the book for a number of reasons –</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. To help other dog owners decide what was best for them and their dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a dog can be a bewildering experience. What do you do if you think your dog’s got fleas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is vaccination essential? How do you socialise your dog?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2. To encourage people to consider adopting a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many dogs without homes who could be the perfect pet for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet many people wrongly assume that they need to buy a dog from a breeder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They assume that dogs in charity pounds have ‘something wrong with them.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the only thing they have wrong with them is that their owners have died/been convicted of animal cruelty and had their dog removed/been evicted from their home and had to move into rented accommodation where dogs are not allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. To make sure people were informed about pet insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most dog owners, having pet insurance is the only way of guaranteeing that if your pet needs an expensive operation you won’t end up footing the bill yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4. The main reason I wrote this book is I wanted people to be aware of the fact that special needs dogs can live happy and fulfilling lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dedicated my book to Vic, my dog who sadly passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was epileptic and had a fantastic life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We used to go for long walks on the island where we lived and he’d blaze the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I heard of other dog owners having their pets put down simply because they were epi dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4w7_oalZb5SCgmARtZp95Cra-O8NnsZNUpLFOAE-H3MMVo5NtDDKYwmWl25rbEAVFArAJrCbZs0-LCclHeCKNxntpOkjoyJl3pfAZELlTWCVo8RlZaKlhQdu9OO4lXcNqxqMXA9zs7tC/s1600/limbo+dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4w7_oalZb5SCgmARtZp95Cra-O8NnsZNUpLFOAE-H3MMVo5NtDDKYwmWl25rbEAVFArAJrCbZs0-LCclHeCKNxntpOkjoyJl3pfAZELlTWCVo8RlZaKlhQdu9OO4lXcNqxqMXA9zs7tC/s320/limbo+dog.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQDfAkC4Zt2dSBtTNfrKFxqhKFidRK9HAtwfL6bAJ3NcVMXCuoFTV3PZR2ucnH09C5Q8N3qL4hue7sZ-XbHDWMcic_VkbSM3jMFiuJmr1tejKHhob-z6cYGQnQxHAuKb9_nX0LfAeKvOd/s1600/happy+dog+on+the+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQDfAkC4Zt2dSBtTNfrKFxqhKFidRK9HAtwfL6bAJ3NcVMXCuoFTV3PZR2ucnH09C5Q8N3qL4hue7sZ-XbHDWMcic_VkbSM3jMFiuJmr1tejKHhob-z6cYGQnQxHAuKb9_nX0LfAeKvOd/s320/happy+dog+on+the+beach.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caring for Your Dog is dedicated to Vic, the bravest dog in the world. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't miss him.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"></div>Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07999487852799181636noreply@blogger.com0