Friday 20 March 2009

DOGS AND COLD WEATHER - DOGS IN SNOW

Did you see the pictures of my greyhounds in the snow? (Thursday 5th March)

On one walk in the snow we went across a field covered in fresh snow. It was quite deep and hard work for my old dog. This set me thinking about problems for dogs in cold weather.
  • Hidden dangers, e.g. holes, broken glass, etc.
  • Slipping and Falling
  • Frozen ponds, lakes, rivers
  • Hypothermia (exposure to cold)
  • Health problems exacerbated by cold
  • Exhaustion
  • Chemicals
Snow can hide all sorts of dangers.
Frozen ponds, etc. may not bear the weight of your dog.
Falling & slipping can cause soft-tissue damage or a broken bone.
Older and vulnerable dogs may suffer exposure and exhaustion. A coat is a good idea.
Arthritis can be more noticeable. Breathing problems can worsen with cold air.
The heart has to work harder. Exhaustion can set in.
Salt used to treat icy roads can irritate paws.
Anti-freeze and de-icers are toxic.

And don't forget short-legged dogs (like daschunds)who will find deep snow hard work. They can also get cold stomachs!

Keeping a towel in your vehicle is a good idea, so your dog can have a rub-down after the walk.
Washing paws if you've walked on treated roads is a good idea.
Paw wax applied before the walk can help prevent slipping and also protect the pads.
And don't forget to keeep chemicals well out of doggie reach!

So that's a few ideas on dogs and cold weather and some problems for dogs in snow.
It's all common sense really - you will probably think of other things to add to the list!

Its getting warmer now and will soon be time to put the clocks forward - but my local weather forecast is for frost overnight!

Sunday 15 March 2009

DOG TREAT RECIPES ~ Healthy & Tasty Recipes for Free

I've created a site that has some very good dog treat recipes. They are free for you to use. Just copy and paste into Word.

There is an appeal on the site - Olive, our old dog, is now costing us over £200 a month for medication. We are struggling to pay the bills.

What I'm hoping is that, in return for the recipes, you will make a VOLUNTARY donation towards Olive's medical fund. There is a 'Donate' button which takes you to Paypal secure payments.

I feel unsure and a bit ashamed about doing this and still feel that I am begging. But you are getting something worth having. I could create a booklet and try to sell it cheaply on eBay, but the fees would eat-up the money! So I thought that I would give this open and honest appeal a try.

There are no catches and nothing to sign up to. The dog treat recipes are free and without obligation. So go and get them! But please do consider the appeal.

The cost of dog medication has gone up several times in the last year.

Just go to this site : http://doglinks.synthasite.com

Thank you.

PS. The website I created was free for me to create. The hosting is also free!

Sunday 8 March 2009

Crufts Is Still In Disgrace!

Today (Sunday 8th march) is the last day of Crufts 2009 and Crufts is still in disgrace!

I didn't go to Crufts this year.

Do you remember the BBC documentary "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" directed by Jemima Harrison? (See my archive 26/8/08 and 29/10/08)
It revealed the health problems caused by the inbreeding of pedigree dogs.

There was an uproar about it. And quite right too! How can a pekingese who couldn't breathe properly win Best In Show?

Since the showing of Pedigree Dogs Exposed on BBC1 there has been outrage, protests, loss of sponsorship and withdrawals of support.
  • Pedigree Foods withdrew their sponsorship of Crufts
  • The BBC are not broadcasting the Show
  • Dog's Trust (a major dog welfare charity) have withdrawn their support
  • The PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) have withdrawn
  • The RSPCA have withdrawn their support

I believe that other organisations have also withdrawn.

I had a look at the Trade Stands list on the Crufts 2009 website. Some names that I have seen at previous shows were not in the list.

Crufts have had a shock and I hope that they sit up and take notice and ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING POSITIVE!!!

Jemima Harrison was not allowed to film at Crufts this year. However she has gone as a paying visitor and reports that nothing has changed. A Sunday Times headline of March 8th says : "Nothing’s breedin’ changed at Crufts, mate"

Protesters have planned to be at Crufts this year.

Let us hope that something good comes out of all this for the sake of the dogs.

Crufts could change and become a showcase of all that is good in the dog world.

Thursday 5 March 2009

Dogs Like Snow ! Greyhounds In The Snow

My greyhounds in the recent snow.







Greyhounds need coats in cold weather. They have thin-skins and short fur. If you need a coat then so do they!
The coats the dogs are wearing are water-repellant and fleece lined. They also have yellow reflective strips.
The white one is old and has TWO coats on! They keep her nice and warm.