Pet Sitter Tails

Carcassonne Chins

2012-02-25T17:10:00.006Z

Back to Carcassonne for a new client. We were looking after three little characters who have all been rescued and each had a sorry story to tell.

Luckily for them, they have been rescued and now live in a lovely home together.

A new breed for us to look after is the Japanese Chin. Click here for Breed description .

They are sweet little dogs with great personalities, a bit shy with new people at first but, given their space soon your best friend.

Snow showers in Normandy

2012-02-01T13:11:00.008Z

We managed to arrive in Normandy for our second visit, just before a cold snap descended upon Europe. The temperature dropped to below -11 degrees C. in Northern France. The pretty village of Vieux Port was made even more pretty under a foot of snow.

Enzo, the white Alsatian, absolutely loves the snow, enjoying rolling and digging. He was a bit scared to go out in it at first, but soon got the hang of it.

The snow was very powdery and made it very difficult to make snowmen, but we did persevere and managed to get a few decent specimens. The snow lasted for two weeks, we had to unfreeze our water pipes on a few occasions and dig out the car.

The countryside looked amazing with the sun out on sparkling white fields, and ice lacing the leaves on the trees.

We were able to go on some amazing walks being the first to put our footprints into the pristine snow.

Tibur 2001 - 2012

2012-01-26T17:53:00.000Z

Just before we were due to sit for a family in Normandy we had the sad news that one of our charges had died.

Tibur had been suffering from fits which gradually got worse and it was the kindest decision to have him put to sleep.

He had had a good walk, his breakfast and was having a snooze in his favorite place in front of the fire just before he departed from us.

He enjoyed his walks taking his time to investigate everything in his path, like a true hound. He was very shy with new people to start with, but after a little while he became your best friend and followed you everywhere.

He will be sadly missed.

Dogs in the Dordogne

2012-01-19T17:57:00.003Z

Bordeaux

For the second half of January we re-visited another existing client, this time in the Pretty
Dordogne region of France.

We had a brief visit to Bordeaux en-route to see a potential client. Although we have been flying into the Bordeaux area for many years, this was the first visit to the city itself. We were pleasantly surprised at the lovely buildings there. It was bitterly cold, but we had a good look around for a morning before we set out to travel south to Le Bugue.

Spot the Cat.

Here we look after 6 lovely dogs, a Black lab and her pups and a golden cocker spaniel and her two pups. They are all girls and a real delight to look after, although you have to be pretty nifty to get a place on the sofa of an evening! There are three cats and a horse to complete the family. The girls have plenty of land to run in, so we had plenty of exercise on a daily basis.

Tracy and Zola

The weather was cold but dry most days.

We spotted deer frequently, trying hard to avoid us. Le Bugue is a small town very picturesque on the side of the Vezere river which snakes its way past picture postcard villages and gorges.

There are plenty of Neolithic remains in this area, caves with paintings and archaeological sites. This was Della's second visit here so it was great to be able to introduce Tracy to the family.

New Year in East Sussex

2012-01-13T17:20:00.000Z

We saw Christmas and the New Year in familiar surroundings, looking after various animals. We had sheep, chickens, ducks and ponies outside, and three dogs and a cat inside the house.

We arrived to a lovely message from the owners' children.

Having sat for this family in the summer months, we were familiar with the area and the surrounding countryside. We had a trip to Hastings to meet up with some friends who stayed at the campsite during the summer, and they showed us around their town.

On New Years day we went to a local pub for Tracy's birthday, and met up with friends who live in Edenbridge.

We got into a routine with the animals very quickly, having a lovely walk around the land with the dogs, who chased about with boundless amounts of energy. We had a daily puzzle to solve of how one chicken kept escaping from the chicken pen. We finally saw it in the act of escaping one day, putting an end to the mystery. We counted the sheep daily to make sure they were all present and correct. The ponies needed their 'electric tape' re-erecting most days, as they had a habit of pushing it until it broke, to get to better grass.

We were helped in all these duties daily by our very loyal friends. Fergus the greyhound, Marble the Jack Russell, and Noko the very springy, Springer Spaniel.

For most of the sit we had mild, dry weather, with occasional rain and some rather windy days which brought a tree down. Some days the ground was very wet which made things difficult, especially in the ponies' field where we were in danger of losing a welly. On the whole though we had a good month.

We said goodbye to our furry helpers, and we will look forward to seeing them again later on in the year.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T12:15:00.001Z

Merry Christmas everyone, we hope that you all have a good time, with your loved ones.

We know that all of your pets are muched loved and will enjoy a fab Christmas with you, as they do for the rest of the year.

We spare a thought for people and pets out there who are less fortunate and hope that 2012 proves to be their year, and say a big "thank you" to the people who work tirelessly all year to make their lives better.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dog Links : http://doglinks.wordpress.com

Dog Rescue Carcassonne: http://www.dogrescuecarcassonne.co.uk

November in Normandy

2011-11-06T12:17:00.000Z

Our first time to Normandy was a pleasant surprise. We have always landed in Calais and driven, via the auto route, focusing on getting past Paris before looking for somewhere to stop on our drive south.

We had a sit near Le Havre, on the banks of the River Seine, in a small hamlet which used to be the main port for the area in Roman times.

The houses in this part of France are very unique. A typical house of the region is thatched with Iris growing out of the top. This method is used to help hold the thatch, as the roots grow
down and help bind the materials together.

When taking a walk through this region you feel as if you have walked back in time, it is very much like an Anglo Saxon theme park. The villages are breathtakingly pretty, and the towns are medieval wood and winding streets.

We were looking after two very sweet dogs, and had plenty of walks through woods and along the banks of the Seine right on our doorstep.

One of the dogs is a white alsation which is a first for us. He was so well behaved and such a sweet dog. His coat was soft and thick. We were worried he would need a lot of cleaning, but miraculously, he stayed clean even after a long walk through muddy woods. Amazing.

The basset hound was a lovely character, who took a couple of days to get used to us, he was very shy to start with, but once he felt safe, he was glued to our side. He suffered from fits, which he had a couple of whilst we were looking after him. We had been pre-warned about this and were well prepared when it happened. It was just a case of being with him whilst he was fitting, and then comforting him afterwards whilst he was a bit disorientated.

We are pleased to have another opportunity early in the new year to sit for these lovely dogs again.

Jemima 2000 - 2011

2011-10-21T18:04:00.010+01:00

It was with great sadness to learn that Jemima passed away this week. We had the pleasure of looking after her for two weeks in May this year, at her home in Goring-by-Sea.

Although she had breathing problems and had to take things slowly, she still had plenty of life in her, and we soon found her 'puppy button'. She liked to chase the pigeons on the lawn and play with her rope toy.

She was very affectionate and loved to give us kisses by snuggling up under our chins, and kissing our ears.

We are due to sit for the family again soon, and she will be missed, but we were grateful that she was with her family, who had a chance to say goodbye to her.

Autumn in France

2011-10-14T15:22:00.003+01:00

As the leaves started to eventually turn brown and fall from the trees after an exceptionally hot September, we arrived in South West France to sit for a new client.

We looked after a Doberman, female and a Greyhound male. Both are rescue dogs and in their middle years. The Greyhound used to make us laugh as he would suddenly gallop around the field for a couple of laps and then, with legs all of a quiver, would go back to his sniffing and mooching around. It was a very funny sight.

The Doberman was good at demanding our attention to give her constant smooths. She was very obedient, making sure we saw her lifting her paw and sitting whilst we were preparing her meals.

We have lived in this part of France before, so we were able to catch up with friends on this visit. We had a trip to the Pyrenees on one sunny, clear day, and as there had been a bit of rain the day before, the tops of the highest peaks were dusted in snow. The towns in the Pyrenees were very quiet at this time of year, the summer tourists had departed, and the winter skiers were yet to appear. Locals were taking the opportunity to tidy up their properties and maintain the roads, etc, before the next influx. The area we know is the Aure Valley it is a very pretty time of year to see the foot of the mountains covered in golden foliage.

Giant dogs to miniture ponies

2011-08-30T14:55:00.003+01:00

We had a variety of sizes to look after in August. We had a new sit in North Devon, near Ilfracombe. We had an Irish wolf hound, two golden retrievers and a puppy spaniel. The farm we were sitting at had fantastic views of the coast and on a clear day we could see across to Wales. There were some lovely walks to do with these dogs, through woodland and fields, the dogs were able to run for miles. The weather was quite hot on most days, and with their thick coats, the dogs got very warm. They did have a convenient bath available to them in the shape of strategically placed water troughs set in the hedges along the route.

The dogs had great fun cooling off in muddy puddles and then washing off the mud in the trough.

In contrast, we looked after two ponies near Bristol one of which was a miniature shetland, so cute, with ears like a bear. They were both very sweet ponies, and great companions to one another.

The miniature shetland was like a big dog, and the wolf hound was like a small pony, all very strange.

2011-08-23T14:17:00.003+01:00

August was a busy month. We looked after a menagerie of animals and a campsite for two weeks. The animals were great, we had an assortment of dogs, a cat, a herd of sheep, two ponies, several chickens and two ducks.

The campsite, Hidden Spring, is in a lovely spot in East Sussex. It is set in a vineyard and orchard. Our task was to look after the animals, and the campers. There were a number of static pitches one was a teepee, a geodome and two yurts, there was also a showman's caravan. These needed to be serviced by ourselves. After a few days we got the hang of where people had to pitch their tents and the general running of the place.

We had a small farm shop to run and we enjoyed meeting and greeting the new arrivals. Guests usually arrived as Della was in the shower block doing the daily clean! Tracy got to be a dab hand at being a wine seller in the shop.

The hours were long and the work very physical, so after two days we were very tired, but the weather was great so we were able to grab a lunch break sat in the back garden, After a few days we got into a routine with the animals and the campers. We had a day off on the Sunday and were able to have a walk around the local area. East Sussex is a lovely county with plenty of rural spots. We found a little pub a short walk from the campsite.

We had a band of little helpers following us around as we cleaned each of the static tents, these were children staying on the campsite. The families were good company and they were great at alerting us to when a sheep got stuck in the fencing or when one of the dogs was touting for sausages when it was tea time with the campers.

Easter 2011

2011-08-19T19:03:00.004+01:00

For Easter we were near Cannes, France where where we looked after our old friends a Rhodesian Ridge back, a Spoodle and a Burmese cat.

We always look forward to sitting for this family of lovely pets, they know us very well now, so we all settle into our routine very quickly.

When we try to use our computer, Bruno has other ideas. He likes all the attention to come his way.

We made our way back from the South of France in our car, and caught the ferry from Calais one more time, back to Blighty.

After a short visit with family and friends back in Bristol, and watching the Royal Wedding on the telly, we headed off to our next sit in Edenbridge,Kent, where we looked after two lovely cats.

Edenbridge is a small, historic town, surrounded by miles of woodland walks and countryside. Hever Castle is to one side of the town and Chartwell House, the home of Sir Winston Churchill is in the other direction. There was plenty to keep us occupied in this area.

For the rest of May we were back in South West France, near Cahors, for a short sit and then back to the UK to Goring-by-Sea, Sussex, for our first visit to sit for Jemima, Myrtle and Minnie. Jemima,is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and her sisters are Persian cats. We had bracing walks along the sea front, walking into Worthing, and taking the train to Brighton

where we caught up with a Kiwi friend who was visiting the area.

We found a superb vegetarian restaurant in Brighton called
Food for Friends which we hope to revisit in the not too distant.

Sudbury, Suffolk

2011-07-23T17:12:00.021+01:00

Suffolk is another new county for us, so we arrived without any preconceived ideas. It is very rural with pretty villages and towns dotted about. We sat just outside of a town called Sudbury which is a lovely market town. Although the area is very rural the towns were built with money made from the weaving and silk industry so the buildings are very affluent.

We looked after two very sweet dogs, a border terrier who, when sat on her back legs, looked more like a meerkat, and a boxer dog. We enjoyed some lovely walks with the girls along leafy lanes that led us to small hamlets of thatched cottages looking out over fields stretching for miles. The hens we looked after kept us in a great supply of eggs for our stay.

Melford Hall

We visited Melford Hall which is owned by the National Trust. It is lived in by the Hyde Parker family and it felt lived in like a home not a museum piece. The home was visited a great deal by Beatrix Potter.

Lavenham was another of our favorite visits. It is a medieval
village, very pretty. We did a circular walk around the village
to see the surrounding countryside, before having lunch in one of the pubs on the high street.

Bury St Edmun ds was a real surprise as we didn't expect a town with so much history and architecture set in such a rural location.

Vegetarian Restaurants in this area

Veggie Red Lion
Another great find, a superb vegetarian restaurant, well worth a visit, at Great Bricett. We met up with some friends who were holidaying in the area and we had a lovely meal.

The Black Boy
This is a pub in the centre of Sudbury market place, and although not exclusively vegetarian, the owner of the pub and hotel is vegan and had a lovely selection of dishes on the menu. It was a really old building, apparently with its own ghost, and had a great atmosphere. We were spoilt for choice on the menu.

2011 the year so far....

2011-07-22T16:24:00.000+01:00

The first half of 2011 has passed in a blinking of an eye or, more appropriately, a wagging of a tail.We started off the year in France living in a Maison de Maitre in the Dordogne region. We managed 3 gites for the owners, providing change over services, pool maintenance and general gardening. We met lots of people holidaying at the property, each week having a new dynamic, depending on who was staying.

We got to know our immediate french neighbours, one of whom was a veteran of the Foreign legion. We were given loads of tomatoes and produce from their very productive potager, (vegetable garden). We tried to pay them back with bringing them English tea, which they loved, and making cakes. They didn't want anything in return though, they were just grateful that their produce was being appreciated and utilized.

We had the opportunity to practice our french a bit more in this area, as we had more people around us, and became very fluent in swimming pool jargon, as we oversaw some major works on the pool over the season.

In March we left the Dordogne and went further South to Carcassonne where we said hello again to a regular client and their pets, and made some new acquaintances. Carcassonne is a lovely fortified town with a very impressive medieval castle fully intact. The old town is contained within the huge walls of the city. Both our house sits were just outside of the main city, in the surrounding countryside, which is rugged and beautiful.
New friends made.

Old friends re-visited.

We were pleased that we would have the chance to look after a family of African grey parrots again, as well as two dogs and a Camargue pony. They all remembered us from a sit the previous year and it was great to catch up with them again.

Wolvercote an Olde English Village

2011-06-22T17:15:00.000+01:00

A last minute booking brought us to Wolvercote near Oxford. This is a new area for us and we were pleasantly surprised to find a little village tucked away from the busy main roads that surrounded it. The village is on the edge of Port Meadow, a large piece of common land, which stretches for miles, and has the Oxford canal running through it. This was very handy as the dog we were looking after had so much energy.

Tracy getting her daily exercise. This dog had endless energy.

He was only a young pup and so sweet, although we were only with him for a few days, he really stole our hearts, and we had great fun throwing the ball for him. We also helped harvest the owners' allotment whilst they were away which was laden with produce.

Sitting in Scotland

2011-06-04T18:27:00.000+01:00

June saw us travel from the South Eastern tip of the UK to the North Eastern tip, to Aberdeen for our next sit. We travelled the whole distance in one day, feeling the temperature drop the further north we went.

We do not know Scotland very well, Della only having been there once before, and Tracy never having been. We were looking forward to exploring this part of our country.

Aberdeen is by the seaside, and we were lucky to pick two lovely weeks of calm, sunny weather, although a tad cold for us Southerners. The North Sea was like a mill pond, and the scenery was breathtaking. We loved the beaches which were vast, empty spaces of clean white sand, with colonies of seals and Eider ducks. Very unspoilt and pristine countryside and coastline for miles around.
Slains Castle Cruden bay

We were looking after two very low maintenance cats, who enabled us to go out on walks and explore the local area. We found a small general stores in Auchnagatt, the only store in the small village, as we wanted some matches. The shop was something out of 'The league of Gentlemen' very Local. There were a few items on the shelves, such as the odd tin of beans and a bottle of sauce. The window display was ancient, with bars of soap with 'sell by dates' from 1999!

The old part of Aberdeen was interesting. It is called Footdee There are a number of fisherman's cottages which are built into the harbour walls. They face inwards with their gardens in quadrangles so that the people are sheltered from the weather coming in from the sea.

When this sit finished we had a few days before we had to be at our next sit in Oxford, so we took advantage of the lovely weather and made our way back down South via Inverness and the Highlands. We called in on Nessy on the way passed and enjoyed the scenery of the mountains and lochs. We had lunch in a lovely loch-side restaurant in Fort Augustus called The Boathouse which gave us views back up the loch where we had driven down.

Cheap Pet Insurance

2011-05-26T19:58:00.004+01:00

The cost of taking a beloved pet to the vets is never cheap and as we are all finding the pinch in our purses in all aspects of our lives, we were interested to read an article in Martin Lewis's Money Expert.com.

This is an online magazine highlighting ways to save money in all aspects of our lives. This month features an article on pet insurance and ways to keep the costs down.

Check it out to make sure you are not paying out more than you should and to see if there are ways in which you can get more for your hard earned money.

Link to Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert.com

Dog Friendly Britain

2011-04-26T19:26:00.002+01:00

Dog Friendly Britain in an online magazine helping people find places to stay with their dogs when they go on holiday.

It is a good source of information covering all aspects of a dog owner's life.

We were recently featured in the magazine, click on the link below to see what they said.

Dog Friendly Britain Feature

Lungworm Awareness Campaign

2011-04-13T18:13:00.003+01:00

What is this lungworm?

The lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum (also known as French Heartworm) is a parasite that infects dogs. The adult of this particular lungworm lives in the heart and major blood vessels supplying the lungs, where it can cause a host of problems. Left untreated, the infection can often be fatal.

The lungworm parasite is carried by slugs and snails. The problem arises when dogs purposefully or accidentally eat these common garden pests when rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys.

There is a national campaign highlighting this issue more information can be found on the two sites below.

www.vetclick.com/news/bayer-animal-health-launches-lungworm-consumer-awareness-campaign-p918.php

http://www.lungworm.co.uk/scripts/pages/en/home.php

Chickens - More than meets the eye

2011-03-03T18:45:00.001Z

We tend to sit for clients with a variety of pets which we are familiar with and have owned in the past.

Until we started pet sitting we had not looked after chickens. Our parents' generation are used to them in their gardens, but it was not commonplace in the towns when we were growing up.

We have really grown to love these birds and learn a lot about them. They are very easy to look after, just needing a secure shelter at night, to stop predators getting at them, food and water.

We have come across a number of different chicken houses, some just a small coop, which could be moved around to a different spot in the garden, to garden sheds and out buildings.

They are so curious, watching everything that is going on around them. They turn over the earth looking for grubs etc.

The best thing about them though is the fact that they will put themselves to bed just before it gets dark. They just have to be locked in to be secure.

The eggs have the most yellow of yolks making any cooking a gorgeous colour.

British Hen Welfare Trust

We feel the chicken is a very overlooked bird, and it is worth giving it a bit of attention the next time you come across one.

Discovering i Portal

2011-02-17T14:27:00.005Z

As we travel around quite a bit, in the UK and Europe we rely on our lap tops a great deal. They become a portable telephone, a way of actually seeing our friends and family via web cam and an easy way to visit the bank as well as keeping in touch with clients.

We like to dip in and out of tv programmes whilst we are travelling around, and with most tv channels we are able to use the iplayers provided with each channel. This is most useful whilst we are abroad as the time difference sometimes makes it inconvenient to watch live tv. However you are only able to access UK channels via the internet whilst in the UK, so when abroad we use a service called i Portal.

By signing into this service you effectively use a UK based server. The service is also useful when emailing from outside the UK, for using tools like spellcheck. If you are in France, for example, and using spellcheck the tool will automatically spellcheck in french, unless you are connected to i portal.

The service makes our life so much easier and for a small subscription either annually or monthly we would not be without it.

To find out more about i Portal go to our 'Links Page' on our website.

Bloat in dogs

2011-01-23T19:54:00.014Z

Looking after other people's precious pets is a great experience but also a great responsibility. We are trusted to look after and care for an animal as if they were our own.

We follow the routine of the pet owner so that the pet is settled, and not disrupted by the change of human carer.

Meal times can be stressful, especially with dogs, and there is a risk of bloat which many pet owners are not aware of.

As long as a few rules are observed, for instance, stopping vigorous exercise an hour before or after feeding, limited water before and after feeding, and stress free mealtimes, most dogs are fine.

Some breeds, those with a high ribcage for example, are more prone to bloat. We have looked after dogs where there is a history of bloat, and are aware of this risk with other dogs that we look after.

This is a really good site telling you what to look out for, and how to prevent bloat.

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm

We have a form you can download to give to your pet sitter so that they know what to look out for and what to do if your dog presents with symptoms of bloat. This is located on the Links page of our website.

New Year on the French Riviera

2011-01-05T18:05:00.021Z

Christmas and New Year in a small town just up in the hills behind Cannes has started our year off on a pampered note.

We saw the New Year in with the beautiful people, but more importantly with beautiful pets. We had the pleasure of looking after Zuka, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Alfie a Spoodle. We were looked after by Bruno the Cat.

Our Spoodle, or Cockerpoo,

Alfie is a toy poodle crossed with a spaniel. He is very sweet and has a very soft and curly coat which doesn't molt. .

click below to get more information on this breed.
http://ten.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

He loved to have cuddles most of the time, basically as soon as you sit down he was there asking to get up. He has a sweet temperment he is full of energy and very playful.

Zuka is a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Wikipedia quotes this breed " The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Southern Africa where it was used (amongst other things) to hunt lions. This is most likely why this dog is known for its bravery."

Obviously Zuka had not read this descirption of himself as he was scared of his own shadow, literally. He was a bit nervous of us at first, but given his space he soon got used to us and was a shadow for the entire sit. He took his lead from Alfie on most matters, letting his older brother guide him.

He was a very effective guard dog as he would run and bark up to the gates of the property when anyone called. As part of the family he is very loving and gentle.

Bruno is a Burmese

Click here for further information on the Burmese.

Burmese Cat Club of GB

Bruno was very tolerant of us and was gratious enough to welcome us into his home. He too liked lots of cuddles and was very vocal around tea time. He was kind enough to let us smooth his deep and very soft coat , we felt very honoured when his attentions were turned to us.

2010-12-09T11:12:00.005Z

Wishing our clients Past, Present and Future

a Very Merry Christmas

and a Happy and Peaceful New Year

from Tracy and Della at Chez Vous

click on the link below to see the show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-0WVfj76bo

Instead of sending out Christmas Cards this year we have sponsored a puppy. Click on site below to see what the clever dogs do.

http://www.caninepartners.co.uk/

Shropshire Good Life

2010-10-09T12:28:00.011+01:00

October saw us in the rural surrounds of Shropshire, looking after a small holding with horses, sheep, chickens and cats.

Where space allows, folk seem to be coming back to the idea of self-sufficiency, even if it is just to keep a few hens for eggs.

This lifestyle was recently relived in the BBC2 programme 'Giles and Sue live the good life.' In this series they recreated the efforts that Tom and Barbara Good went to to be self sufficient. It turned out to be a lot more labour intensive and time consuming than they thought.

Their set up was perhaps a bit too self sufficient for most people. On our sits we do find that elements of self sufficiency, whether it be a veggie plot or just some hens, do feature.

The work and dedication involved in looking after animals and tending veggies, in our opinion, is well worth the effort. We always get a kick out of the fact that we are eating food just picked from the garden. We find looking after and tending to animals very relaxing and rewarding, even if it is pouring with rain, and freezing cold when the horses need bringing in and the hens need shutting in their house for the night.

At the end of the day, with flora and fauna, you reap far more than you sew.

Ass you like it... Donkey days in France

2010-08-14T17:22:00.001+01:00

A number of our clients have pets that have come from rescue centres. Sophie, a lady who we sit regularly for, has 6 cats, two dogs and two chickens, as well as two donkeys. They all have their issues brought from previous lives, but are now comfortable together, being given a second chance to be loved.

Here in South West France there are a lot of donkeys. They are good for keeping down the courser vegetation, like brambles and thistles. They will eat bark from the trees though, which is not good for the trees.

They require a shelter as they don't like to get too wet. Their coat takes a long time to dry out if they are without shelter.

These donkeys are very tidy and have a particular area for their bathroom. There is always plenty of 'help' with all the chores around the grounds.

They need the same care and attention as horses, daily brushing, picking out their feet, summer and winter routines.

They are very mischievous, nosey and playful, and are great fun to look after. They are a great alarm call if you happen to be late getting up.

They need company and make great companions for other animals.

Links to Donkey sanctuarys in France and UK:

http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/
http://equinerescuefrance.wordpress.com/

RIP Maxwell & Serioja

2010-06-11T10:49:00.009+01:00

We had sad news back in the summer that two of the pets, we looked after the previous year, had passed away, in Keri Keri, North Island, New Zealand.

Max the dog, was a very sweet boy, although he had trouble getting about he always found his inner-puppy on a daily basis, when he knew we were going to take him for a walk or play with the ball. The energy didn't last for long, but he enjoyed himself.

If he disappeared for a short time we always knew that he would be off visiting his friend George, for a dog with mobility issues, we were always amazed at just how fast he got to George's house.

Whilst he was in our care we were charged with the task of putting him on a strict diet, which slowly, but surely began to show in his physique. We had the whole neighbourhood behind our cause, noting the progress Max was making on his daily walks.

We progressed from a slow amble to an almost sprightly jaunt! Hopefully this all helped to make his last days on Earth more comfortable.

We will always remember this big imposing-looking dog hiding under the study desk as the 'low battery' warning sound on the fire alarm went off. For days after he looked warily at the ceiling.

Serioja the cat was also very loving and very close to Max. The two were never very far apart from each other.

As with all of our 'foster pets' they both have a special place in our hearts and minds.

We know Max will be enjoying his new found freedom with Serioja by his side.

African Grey Parrots - South of France

2010-04-30T14:22:00.011+01:00

Having got caught up in the flight disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcano, we are glad to be back in France on our current house sit.

We are in a small village just north of Carcassonne, looking after two small dogs, an elderly cat, an aged Camargue pony, 7 chickens and 3 African Gray parrots.

Our current house is a converted windmill on top of a mountain with 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside, giving us superb sunrises and sunsets.

This is our first time looking after African Gray parrots. We have been looking forward to getting to know this beautiful bird.

We are looking after 3 African Parrots.

Cookie is a male bird caught in the wild. He was initially very shy with us, and stayed in his nesting box just poking out his head. Gradually, day by day, he has got braver, sings us a lovely tune and bobs his head up and down. By the end of the week he was staying out on his perch when we entered the aviary.

Sugar is a female bird and was raised in captivity. She is much braver with us, and from day one she had stayed out on the perch, gradually coming up to us to take a peanut from us.

Baby is the offspring of Cookie and Sugar, this is a rare occurance, and was not expected by the owners. He/she is now about 6 months old and the gender is not yet known. He was very shy of us to start with, growling when you approached his nesting box. At the end of the first week, he was getting braver, staying out on the perch and singing to us.

We sat in with the birds to start with, just chatting to them. We had a pet owner's manual to give us some background information and what to look out for in terms of behaviour and what it means.

These birds are extremely intellegent and we wanted to learn how to communicate with the birds, in order to build their trust. The first thing we learnt was not to look at them directly to be less intimidating, and we sat down in the aviary to make ourselves smaller.

Our first breakthrough was reading that when a parrot wants to gesture to another parrot that he wants peaceful contact he rubs his bill (whetting) against a branch, by rubbing our fingernails againgst a branch or on wood, this sends the same signal. The first time we tried it Sugar came right up towards us and started whetting his bill, mirroring our gesture.

We were also told that parrots may try and peck your hand, but this does not necessarily mean it is being nasty, we were told not to flinch away from the peck, or scream "ouch!" as this will shake the bird's confidence! Sugar has pecked Della a couple of times, and she managed not to react or pull away each time.

More info on African Gray Parrots

Aloha Hawaii

2010-03-31T21:54:00.011+01:00

We have left colder climes for the sunny and warm island of Hawaii. Land of volcano, waterfalls and lush rain forests. The flowers and birds here are very colourful and the sea is blue.

Our latest assignment is looking after two rescue dogs called Freda and Sadie. Both dogs are female and 12 years old.

Freda a mixed breed.
She is a very sweet girl, a bit arthritic but loves playing with a frisby. Is a bit of a sun worshiper as well, a good pass time in Hawaii.

Sadie an Australian cattle dog.
Sadie loves to herd anything that is moving, and will nudge you along on your ankles with her nose. She is very active and follows us everywhere, offering her help. The link below gives some more background information on the breed.

http://australiancattledog.rescueme.org/uk

Vancouver Island

2010-03-22T21:10:00.013Z

We are in our final week of house sitting in Qualicum Beach,Vancouver Island. The time has passed very quickly, and we making sure we catch up with everyone before we leave.

This time of year brings the Brant geese, in their hundreds to the area. They are migrating from Mexico on their way to Alaska to mate. They stop off in our neighbourhood to feed and restore some of the weight they have lost on their journey so far.

Their migration co-insides with the herring spawn. There has been a great deal of activity all along the coast with sea lions, harbour seals, fishermen and tonnes of sea gulls. They are all waiting to have their fill of the herring, which spawn in their thousands before heading back out to deeper waters.

The water colour is black at first with the number of fish, and then it goes a turquoise colour when the eggs have been laid. The sea lions can be heard barking all night and they compete for the fish with the gulls in a feeding frenzy.

Where we are house sitting we have had a ring side seat throughout all of these proceedings. Since the first day of Spring, the weather is gradually getting warmer, the frogs are croaking in the pond and the ducks are beginning to pair off. The Bald Eagles, having finished nest building back in February, are now staying closer to the nest, perhaps the young won't be long arriving.

The cherry trees are in blossom and the daffodils and crocus are blooming. We arrived as the trees were losing their leaves back in November, and we will be leaving with signs of new life all around us.

On this house sit we have made many new friends and we will keep in touch with them from now on, via the Internet. We have had some marvelous experiences with the SPCA and ETRA, and helping out at local charity events around Christmas. We have met many of the neighbours in our street, everyone making us very welcome, and part of the community. We feel like locals.

We will be leaving Angus in the capable hands of his owners. He has been a pleasure to look after, and we will miss him. We have loads of photos to remind us of the fun the three of us have had.

SPCA - Class of 2010

2010-02-22T19:25:00.008Z

We had the last session with the puppies today. They are old enough to be spayed or neutered and be put up for adoption.

They are all proficient in sitting, lying down and coming towards us. They have all had walkies training on the lead, and are fully socialised with humans.

They have grown and learnt so much in their short time with us.

We have all got our favorites. Here is Della with Bernard, he is a favorite of many. He is very placid, and serves as a lovely pillow for the other puppies.

Tracy's favorite is Buffy. She is the most intellegent of the litter, she picks up everything she is taught very quickly.

It was a bitter sweet day, knowing that we will see them all go soon, but knowing they are going to have a family to love them.

We feel we have all played a part in giving them the best start in life. Puppies learn the so much, right or wrong, from when they are very young, and what they learn, makes them the dogs they become.

We have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a dog trainer and these puppies, the opportunity doesn't present itself very often. We have learnt a great deal, and will continue to seek out further reading in the future.

Sidewalking at ETRA

2010-02-21T21:39:00.006Z

I have completed a couple of sessions now at the riding centre.

The same clients come each week. The first session was taken up with getting every one's stirrups to the correct level, the right person on the right horse, and so on.

We did manage to go on a trek outside, along the bridle path, which was very pleasant, out in the fresh air. It was necessary to stop a few times, to get some riders comfortable, and used to their horses, but in the main it went very well.

The clients on the Tuesday session that I help at don't need to be held whilst they are riding along, so this makes it easier for the side walkers, who are able to avoid the puddles and obstacles on the ground. We just have to hold them when going in and out of the barn, (going from light to dark environments can sometimes spook the horses), we have to be prepared for this eventuality.

I have had a different client each week, and each one has thoroughly enjoyed their time, in their own unique way. One client is blind, and sings a tune to themselves, and smiles the whole way round, There are children and adults and each get something from their experience.

The ponies/horses are very placid and take all the noises and sudden movements in their stride.

Our little troop of 4 horses being led by a pony handler, with one rider and two side walkers either side, and the instructor behind with a megaphone, is a merry little parade, chatting and squealing and laughing and singing.

The hour session is over very quickly, after we have finished the trek, we come back into the arena and have a little trot, depending on ability. All too quickly the clients are led up to the dismounting block where they reluctantly bid farewell to their pony/horse, until next week.

The helpers have a 15 minute break before the next clients arrive. Someone has usually made cakes or cookies, and there is tea or coffee to drink.

I leave each week, feeling that I have helped to put a smile on some one's face, and that thought puts a smile on mine !

Puppy Training

2010-02-02T02:33:00.008Z

Our weekly training sessions have proved very effective with the puppies at the shelter.

The group has progressed steadily, they all sit when given the hand signal, they will then lie down and then stand up when they are given the signal.

We are varying the task slightly and have begun to increase the time between when the dog sits to when he gets his reward for sitting. Also we have let him sit, them moved one step to the side and then back in front of the dog before giving him the treat if he is still sitting.

They have been getting used to wearing a collar. The collar has been put on when they first come into the training room and are chasing about, not paying attention to the collar. Another good time to try the collar is when they are very sleepy, and about to go to sleep.

We have been getting them used to being picked up, being grabbed by their tails, from behind, by their ears etc, making it a fun thing to be handled by humans.

They are very quick learners, and when they are old enough, they will be very adoptable.

Volunteering with Theraputic Riding Centre, BC

2010-01-27T23:21:00.005Z

Della recently saw an ad in the local paper asking for 'sidewalker' volunteers at the Therapeutic Riding Association.

This is a local group, which initially started as a back yard pleasure riding session for three challenged high school students. Over the years the group of dedicated volunteers built up the association, and became a registered society in 1989.

They are members of CanTRA, Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, and BCTRA, British Columbia Therapeutic Riding Association.

I have been involved with Driving for the Disabled, affiliated to the RDA, Riding for the disabled, in the UK, and was keen to help out here if possible.

An orientation session was organised for Tuesday 26th January. 18 new volunteers turned up for the session, which was a really good turn out. We were shown the routine, from when a client enters the barn, whilst they are riding and then to facilitate them leaving the arena.

It was very interesting, and everyone was very friendly.

Safety is paramount.

I learnt that the horse's movement provides the same sensory input as the movement of a normal human gait.

The act of riding improves strength in muscles, especially posture, and this improves balance and co-ordination.

Self - esteem is improved as well as confidence.

The rider can also feel a sense of independence with this exercise in the form of fun.

we learnt what our responsibilities would be as a volunteer and what to do when we met the rider.

Safety and barn rules were explained to us.

I left the barn looking forward to the coming week when I would be able to meet the riders.

www.islandpages.com/etra

Helping with weight loss

2010-01-12T02:51:00.020Z

Putting Your Dog On A Diet for Weight Loss

We sat for a lovely dog in New Zealand who had become overweight due to his age, and too many treats. He was very much loved, but the vet had put him on a strict diet and had banned all treats. This was very hard for his owners and we arrived at just the right time to kick start his regime.

We were sitting for 6 weeks, so we had a good amount of time get him into a new routine.

He was a Cattle dog cross, and in his 10th year. He was very sweet natured.

To get your dog started on a lifestyle change and diet that is needed to help an already overweight dog start to get in shape, consider the following:

Reduce food intake - We started by cutting out all snacks, treats and food items other than the actual dog food. This meant no high carb or sugary treats, no extra little scraps from the table or even any dog cookies. High quality treats can be reintroduced to the diet on a very limited amount once the weight has been lost.

The vet had prescribed a very low calorie dry food. Most dogs will lose weight even on regular kibble provided all the other aspects of the plan are followed. Ask your vet for recommendations for foods that would be beneficial to your particular dog. We switched the food gradually from meat to dry food to avoid digestive problems. Don’t worry if the dog refuses to eat the dry, especially if it is a picky eater, it will eat when it gets hungry. He resisted for a day, but soon got stuck in when he realised nothing else was coming. The vet advised us that if your dog does not eat for two days and you are exercising the dog as outlined contact your vet before proceeding with the food selection.

Increase exercise - and this involved our participation. Max simply did not exercise himself. Putting them outside in the yard for an extra hour doesn’t count since they will likely take a leisurely stroll around the yard, find a comfortable spot and rest. You must make them keep moving. Take them on a leash for a walk around the block at least twice a day. Once they can do one block, increase to two and keep increasing the distance and the pace of the exercise. Start slow and gradually increase to avoid stressing both the dog and yourself! Max could not walk very far, we started on a short walk and increased it every day.

Increase play times. We threw max a ball or a stick, or played a game of tag or chase. Start slow, even just rolling the ball to get the dog involved. Lots of praise and attention during the game will help keep them motivated and engaged. We timed it to when he was feeling a bit more lively, like when he was due for a walk.

Max had a 'friend' just a few houses away, and would take himself off for a wander to go see George, another dog. It is good for dogs to play with other dogs, this is a great form of exercise for them.

We checked the yard and house for hidden food items. Many dogs have learned to get into the garbage, get into cupboards and raid the treat boxes or even get into candy dishes left on the coffee table. Remove all sources of food from where the dog can access.

We took the dog to the vet at the beginning of our stay to weigh him, and introduce ourselves. We then returned every 2 weeks to see if any progress was being made. The weight reduced very slowly, partly because Max couldn't exercise very much, but gradually it started to show, around his neck, and hips.

Keep on the plan for two weeks, decreasing each meal by one quarter and doubling a reasonable level of exercise. You should notice a slight weight loss in this period. You can either weigh the dog by using a standard bath scale or, for large breeds, simply use a measuring tape around the widest part of the their body. If you have followed the plan and are decreasing food, increasing exercise and cutting out all treats and do not notice even a slight decrease in weight after two weeks see your veterinarian immediately to rule out any medical problems.

We had great support from the neighbours who saw us out every day, everyone asked us his weight and encouraged us along the way. He lost 40kg in the 6 weeks we looked after him, so we were very pleased.

When Max's family returned they were very pleased with the progress and have continued with the food and exercise regime. He is much more mobile now.

Puppy Training - Playing Doctor

2010-01-09T21:32:00.005Z

Once the puppies were comfortably exploring their new environment we were asked to pick them up and hold them.

We were told that if a puppy is physically comfortable, he will be mentally comfortable. So we had to make sure we were holding them correctly. If they started to struggle, we had to hold them until they relaxed and then put them down.

We were told if we put them down when they are struggling, this will lead to the wrong message being taught them.

We did not call the puppies to us to be picked up, but just picked them up without them coming to us.

We then settled them down on our laps, comforting them and allowing them to relax. We then lifted the flap of their ear and if they let us do this we said "yes" and gave them a little treat. The "yes" has to come at the right time, and only when they are relaxed and you are lifting the ear. Otherwise the message is misunderstood.

We progressed on from the ears to the eyes, spreading each side of the eye with two fingers. Then we concentrated on a spot of their backs, separating the fur, as if looking for ticks. We separated each claw, front and back paws. Lifted their tails and checked their bums.

Every time the action was allowed in a calm accepting way, we said "yes" and gave them a small treat.

Different dogs will have different tolerance levels. Tracy's puppy fell asleep in her arms whilst she was performing the different tasks, where as mine was squirming, wanting to get down and play. Perhaps my puppy wasn't so comfortable on my lap. I am going to us a towel on my lap next time, to pad out my lap a bit more.

Puppy Training - The Sit

2010-01-09T02:16:00.003Z

We have started a course of lessons at the SPCA to learn how to train and socialise puppies.

A bitch has been brought in very under-nourished, with 9 puppies. They are now 5-6weeks old. They all had a large worm burden, and have big fat tummies.

The worming programme has been completed now and so they will not be so pot-bellied for much longer.

We were shown today how to show a puppy how to sit.

Grab a handful of soft, chewy treats, or whatever your new pup likes best.

Get your puppy's attention.

When he comes closer, hold one of the treats to his nose, use as a nose magnet.

Push your hand forward towards his back. He'll have to sit down to reach it.

Don't hold the treat too high.

As soon as his bottom hits the floor, say "yes."

Repeat often, always say the word "yes" as he starts to sit down.

Remember to say "Yes" everytime he sits.

When they have grasped this, start moving around and calling the puppy to you, repeat the process until he sits, then move again and call the dog.

It did not take long before when they heard the word "Yes" they were looking for food.

Tips:

Keep training lessons short, and repeat often. Five minute sessions, four or five times daily will keep the knowledge fresh in his mind, but will also keep him from being bored.

We were amazed how quickly the puppies responded. The word "sit" has not been introduced yet, this will come later.

Over the next few sessions we will work through a list of tasks to get the puppies used to human company and make them as adoptable as possible.me

Many short, fun sessions are best, and ending on dog wants to please you.

Training puppies - Handling

2010-01-07T18:20:00.003Z

Today we learnt how to get the puppies used to being handled. If they feel comfortable being held and handled at an early age, this will help them in later life.

We were first shown how to hold a puppy. If you want to carry your puppy you will need to hold the dog to your chest by placing your hand in between the puppy's front legs and the crook of your arm supporting his back end. The length of your arm is supporting him under his tummy. For bigger puppies two hands will be needed.

Don't attempt to grab him by the coat on his neck the way his mother used to do. Remember that female dogs are intentionally supposed to hold their puppies this way and they know how to and puppies do not resist their mothers when they do; another factor is that they only hold them a few inches away from the ground. Don't attempt to pick up a dog of any age from under their front legs, like a baby, This will cause injury.

We wrapped the puppies in a towel for their first pick up, just to give them some more security.

We took 4 puppies into a quiet space where they could explore without any danger. We sat on the floor still holding them and giving them encouraging noises. We then opened the towels and let the dogs decide whether they wanted to get down or stay in our laps. Some were quicker to explore that others.

To put your puppy back down on the floor, gently place him back on the ground; don't just let him jump out of your arms as the puppy could end up getting hurt.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-31T21:19:00.000Z

We wish you all a very happy and peaceful 2010

Our greetings card can be viewed from link below

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2155577465279&source=jl999

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T02:15:00.000Z

WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PET OWNERS AND THEIR PETS,

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR

WE HOPE ALL YOUR PETS ARE WARM AND CARED FOR THIS CHRISTMAS

Threepence - R.I.P

2009-12-19T22:44:00.004Z

We have just received the sad news that one of our 'foster pets' was put down today.

Her name is Threepence and she is a little black terrier. We sat for her and her brothers and sisters in Launceston, Tasmania, in November 2008.

She was an old girl when we sat for her, she was almost blind and slept most of the time. She was a very canny lass though, and when she was hungry she let everyone know about it.

She could hardly see but she made her way around every one's dish to finish up any left overs!

She was such a character, not letting her age or disability get in her way.

We imagine she is now taking charge in some corner of Doggy Heaven.

Simon's Cat

2009-12-17T21:27:00.004Z

"Simon's Cat" by Simon Tofield

This is a very funny cartoon which has been posted on Youtube, and has now been made into a book.

Anyone who knows or has ever owned a cat will totally identify with these stories, they are so accurate.

If you've never come across Simon's Cat before take a look on the link above and we guarantee you will be hooked.

The book will make a great stocking filler for the cartoon fans.

Antifreeze poisoning

2009-12-13T17:17:00.014Z

We have been reading articles from the RSPCA recently about the dangers of Antifreeze.

Now that Winter is here, the use of Antifreeze is on the increase. Most people are unaware of the hidden dangers to their pets.

Unfortunately many animals find the taste of antifreeze very attractive, and ingesting even the smallest amount can lead to kidney failure and death, especially in cats.

BC SPCA: Pet-Friendly Antifreeze

There is a campaign running here in Canada informing the public of this danger, and encouraging them to buy Pet-Friendly Antifreeze, which doesn't contain ethylene glycol. Since April 2009 the Canadian Government have legislated that Antifreeze should contain a bittering agent to take the sweet taste out, and therefore make it unattractive to pets, especially cats.

The link below gives advice on antifreeze and your pets.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/cats/health/antifreezepoisoning

We have been unable to find any Antifreeze for sale which specifically states Pet Friendly, If you have come across any, we would love to hear from you, and we will pass the information on to our readers.

When buying Antifreeze it might be worth asking at the store what their policy is.

North Island Wildlife Rescue Centre

2009-12-11T17:37:00.022Z

We visited the Wildlife Recovery Centre to see what work they carried out and to see if they needed any volunteers at this time of year.

The centre began in 1984 when the founder, Robin Campbell discovered a Great Horned Owl entangled in a neighbour's fence, its wing was mangled and was in need of emergency care. Since then the centre has become well known, and when wildlife are in need of help, they are brought into the Centre.

Bird which died hitting a power line.

The aim is to cure and hopefully release back into the wild. Some birds or mammals are too injured to be released, so they stay at the centre.

If an animal is brought in that has had contact with humans, ie, hand reared or 'imprinted' by humans, they are not re-released back into the wild, they are used at the centre to educate the public on the wildlife in their area.

There is an Eagle Flight Cage where eagles who have been injured can build up their strength and practice their flying, before being released back into the wild.

There is an observation deck with one way glass. It is a good way to see these magnificent birds up close, without stressing them out. They are huge.

There is a Black Bear Rehabilitation unit where orphaned bears or injured bears are brought in. There is a cctv set up so that the bears have as little contact as possible with humans. If they become used to humans they will become 'nuisance bears' They must remain frightened of humans. The cages are designed so that the carers can come and go, servicing the cages

Festive bear cub Museum of Nature.

without being seen by the bears. Apparently most bears are born as twins so they try to keep two together so they are less stressed and learn from each other, before being released back into the wild.

There is a resident Black Bear called Knut who has lived at the centre for a long time, and he can be seen by the public. He was sleeping when we went as it was very cold.

We walked around the outside Public Viewing area where there were a number of captive birds of prey which cannot be released.

There is a release pond for birds to come and go from when they choose. It is a great place to children and adults alike, to learn about the wildlife in this part of the world and how to respect it. They are doing an excellent job.

We took a couple of volunteer forms away with us after chatting to the lady at the centre, so we will see if we can help in any way.

Click here to learn more about the centre
www.niwra.org

Helping the SPCA Cats

2009-12-01T23:31:00.015Z

Today was our first day as proper volunteers at the SPCA Parksville-Qualicum branch.

Our shift started at 12 noon. We arrived at the centre and said hello to the regular staff on the front desk.

We headed for the Volunteer room where we put on our overalls and completed the signing in sheet.

We had a hand over with Lesley, a volunteer who had come in a couple of hours before us.

We checked the notice board to see which cats had already been out in the day room.

It soon became apparent that most of the cats wanted to be out and playing, and as only 3 are allowed at any one time in the play room, it is a constant juggle to play with the ones out, make sure they all get along together, placate the ones still in their cages awaiting their turn.

That was the easy part.... We then had to put the 3 that were out in the play room, back into their cages. Of course they knew this was going to happen and did not want to be caught, so they used all their repertoire of escape and avoiding skills that they knew.

We did manage it in the end though, and got three more cats that got along together out to have a stretch of their legs.

Their behaviour was much the same, they would have a tentative sniff around, all light footed and low to the ground. Then, when they felt relaxed they would start to play with all the toys that are in the room. Depending on their character, this took varying amounts of time for each individual cat.

Some of the cats were in an overflow room, so had to be wrapped in a towel so that they could be carried along the corridor to the play room. This was just a precaution in case they spooked and got loose in the building.

There were some really cute kittens there which are up for adoption in the next few weeks. Mainly though there are older cats. They are all really sweet, and have their own characters.

Max, a black short haired cat was quite shy to start with in the play room, he came out of his shell after a little while and started to play with the toys.

Garfunkel is a beautiful grey and white striped cat, such a handsome young man. He is a stray. He was exploring as soon as he got into the play room, he was fearless, jumping from one obstacle to the next.

Coco a beautiful black and tan tabby cat was quite happy to sit on the seat beside me whilst I brushed her.

Our 2 hours went very quickly, and before we knew it, the next set of volunteers were arriving.

We did a hand over with them, just giving them a brief summary of what we had done, and letting them know the names of the cats that were currently in the play room, so when they put them back, they would go into the correct cages.

It was harder than we thought. It is very hard to ignore cries for attention, and even harder to see the souls that didn't want to come out from under their hidyhole. We would have loved to have taken the ones that had been in the shelter for 6 months, just to give them a normal home.

Hopefully they will all be found homes in due course. It is always the kittens that seem to be adopted first.

We have put our names down for next week. We hope there will have been some adoptions

between now and then.

Dog Walks on Vancouver Island

2009-12-01T22:56:00.000Z

The weather is windy and a fresh 8 degrees, blowing in off of the Georgia Straits. We have had a good deal of rain in November, which is usual for this time of year.

Today though the sun is out and the clouds are scudding across the sky at high speed.

With the right gear on, it has been very pleasant to take a bracing walk along the beach, picking up a variety of coloured shells.

There are plenty of empty, pure white oyster shells, strewn all along the beach. We walk along with the dog going in and out of the sea, watching the oyster catchers, black birds with bright red beaks, lining the shore. The sea gulls pick up the oysters they have fished out of the water, fly up to a height and then drop them, with the aim of smashing them open, so they can eat the contents. This is amazing to watch.

The stretch of water in our neighbourhood faces out onto the Straits of Georgia, part of the inside passage which leads to Alaska. The big cruise liners coming from Vancouver pass here on their way to Alaska. In the Spring we will be able to see the herring shoals swimming by, and the sea lions that will be following them.

All this whilst we are being watched by a pair of Bald Eagles perching in the tall fir trees that line the water's edge. One swoops down to fish in the sea before it returns to its mate.

As pet sitters, our dog walks are never dull or monotonous.

Don't feed this to your Pet!

2009-12-01T17:38:00.000Z

You may share your garden and even your bed, but it's probably best to avoid sharing a meal with man's best friend or any other pet for that matter. Listed below, from most(1) to least(8) dangerous, are common foods and drinks that make pets ill. If you think your dog, cat, or bird has consumed one of these items and you are concerned, contact your vet.

1. Chocolate

Why: Stimulates the nervous system and the heart.
Poisonous to: All species, but dogs are most likely to eat dangerous quantities.
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, increased thirst, restlessness, agitation, increased body temperature, tremors, seizures.

2. Grapes, raisins

Why: Damage the kidneys.
Poisonous to: Dogs, cats.
Possible effects of poisoning: Increased thirst, increased urination, lethargy, vomiting.

3. Garlic,onions.

Why: Damage red blood cells, causing anemia.
Poisonous to: Cats, dogs.
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, red-coloured urine, weakness, anemia.

4. Xylitol
(found in sugarless gum)

Why: Causes increased insulin secretion, resulting in lower blood sugar levels.
Poisonous to: Dogs
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination, seizures, jaundice, diarrhea.

5. Alcoholic drinks

Why: Depress the nervous system.
Poisonous to: All species.
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, seizures.

6. Raw yeast bread dough.

Why: Forms gas in the digestive track; fermentation of yeast causes alcohol poisoning.
Poisonous to: All species, but only dogs typically ingest it.
Possible effects of poisoning: Distention of abdomen, vomiting, disorientation, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, seizures.

7. Macadamia nuts.

Why: Cause muscle and nervous-system problems.
Poisonous to: Dogs
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, lethargy, weakness, increased body temperature, tremors.

8. Avocados

Why: Contain persin, which damages the heart muscle.
Poisonous to: Most species - birds especially sensitive.
Possible effects of poisoning: Vomiting, diarrhea (in dogs), lethargy, difficulty breathing (in birds and rodents).

SPCA Cat Orientation

2009-11-26T00:35:00.009Z

Today we went back to the Parksville-Qualicum SPCA to meet Sabrina, who is the volunteer co-ordinator for the cats brought into the centre.

She showed us around, telling us where we had to sign in when we came to do a shift. She showed us the rota and where we needed to put our names down to indicate which day we would be coming to the centre. As it happens, a regular volunteer is on holiday for the time we are here, so we have decided to fill her slot, which will be on a Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday if we are needed.

We were shown the brushes that are used to groom the cats, and the procedure for cleaning the brushes after each cat has been brushed. There is a strict hygiene regime to eliminate cross contamination of any illnesses the cats may have.

After going through the administration side of things, we went into the room where the cats are housed. Most came up to the cages to say hello, a few were shy and stayed back. They were all ages, mostly adult cats, one kitten. They were all in lovely condition.

We were shown how to handle them, and to read the board attached to each cage, showing their name, temperament, whether they were strays or handed in by their owners.

There is a room with the cages to house the cats, and there is a separate play area, where cats can be taken into to be groomed or played with. There are chairs for the volunteers to sit on and read a book, so the cats can have a cuddle and relax if they feel like it.

We have put our names down for next tuesday 1st December, and we are looking forward to meeting the residents. Hopefully we will be able to provide some comfort for them whilst they await adoption.

To see which cats are in the centre at the moment please click link below:

Link to cats we met today:

Volunteering with the SPCA

2009-11-21T22:54:00.020Z

Link to SPCA -Parksville & Qualicum Beach

We have been on Vancouver Island for just over two weeks. Time enough to suss out some good walks, where the shops are and what is in our immediate vicinity.

Whilst walking our 'foster' dog in one of the many community parks on Vancouver Island, we spotted a notice asking for volunteers to help with the SPCA. This is the Canadian equivalent of the RSPCA in the UK. We spoke to the co-ordinator Caroline, and signed up for an Orienteering session which was held today.

Our local branch of the SPCA is at Parksville, a short drive from our house. We arrived at 10.30am to find that there was an amazing turnout of 12 new volunteers. The co-ordinators were over the moon with such a response, if not slightly embarrassed that there were only two dogs in the centre to be walked at the moment.

It is obviously a good thing, but a bit ironic, as all through the summer when there have been loads of 'inmates' there has only been one poor volunteer to walk all of the dogs by herself.

After filling out a Volunteer Agreement and Release form, we were shown around the centre. There is a volunteer room, where we have to sign in on arrival. There are notices and sources of information about the centre and up and coming events etc.

We were then shown where the cats are housed. They each have a compartment with fluffy cushions and pillows. They have a separate room for them to be let out and played with.

There is a food preparation area with all the different pet food and all sizes of feeding bowls.

We were then shown out into the yard, where there are individual dog kennels and pens in a row. The two residents today were Dacota, and Richard. Dacota, a sort of wolfhound, had only been in for a short while but Richard, a huskey, was a long term resident, being at the centre for over 6 months. He has been re-homed but brought back due to his barking.

We were shown into a small room next to the kennel area which is called the chill out room, where the dogs can be brought in with their volunteer just to chill out and relax, as they would get the opportunity if in a home. The volunteer can groom them, or just read a book, whilst the dog has some down time, away from his kennel.

There is also an outside area, where the dogs can catch a ball, or do agility training etc.

The orienteering session lasted about an hour and half, and after being given some forms and contact information we all left.

Tracy and I are now awaiting an email from the co-ordinator to enable us to put our names on the rota for next week, when we will be paired up with a buddy volunteer who will show us the ropes on our first visit.

We are happy to help out where ever the need is greatest so we won't know until next week what we will be doing.

Canine Hydrotherapy in Scotland

2009-11-14T07:26:00.003Z

We were fortunate to be booked for a house and pet sit in the lovely city of Edinburgh this summer. This was our first visit to the fair city.

We loved the tall buildings and cobbled streets of the Old Town, soaking up the history of the Royal Mile and the Castle.

Our foster pets showing us around were a Newfoundland called Yogi and a Golden Retriever called Pippa. Both beautiful dogs, well mannered and very lovable.

Edinburgh is quite small, and it only takes minutes to be out into the countryside over looking the city on Arthur's seat, or walking past one of the many castles in parkland. The daily walk to a nearby park always took a long time, as people wanted to stop us and ask about Yogi. He was more like a bear than a dog.

Yogi had some health issues, and at 7 years old was beginning to slow down quite considerably. He had suffered an injury to his leg and although through the worst, he was having ongoing treatment to aid suppleness in his joints.

Part of our responsibilities was to take Yogi to the Hydrotherapy centre for his weekly treatment. This was a first for us, and we found it extremely interesting.

When we arrived we were asked about Yogi's general fitness from the previous week's session. He was then kitted out in his floatation vest. This is to prevent him from sinking to the bottom, and to encourage him to swim. He was then gently led to the pool. He loves the water and couldn't wait to get in. The assistant then attached a pole to his vest to enable her to position him in the pool, and prevent him from reaching the far side
. (click photo to see video)

She told us that 10 minutes of swimming is equivalent of 10 miles running for a dog. The timing is strictly monitored increasing by a minute each session, depending on progress.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes use this facility, and they have to be referred by a vet before the treatment programme can begin.

The link below may be useful for further information
Canine Hydrotherapy Centre - total mental and physical well being for dogs

Labradoodle - Millie's Tail

2009-10-26T16:37:00.005Z

Millie is the first Labradoodle we have had the pleasure of looking after. She is 10 years old and lives in Crete. She has been relieved of her coat for the summer months, and as you can see she loves to play in the sea.

Labradoodles come in a variety of sizes and coat types. They can be curly, scruffy, smooth, fleecy or wavy. They come in standard poodle size, like Millie or minature. The breed originates from the 1970's and they are good all round dogs, good gun dogs and very obedient. Depending on the type of coat some breeds do not shed their coat. They have a life span of between 13 - 15 years.

The Labradoodle is a very loyal dog, they love human company and the company of other dogs. We have been introduced to a number of people whilst out on our walks, as although we do not know the person coming towards us, Millie obviously does, and becomes very pleased to see them! We have made lots of new friends this way.
Click photo to see video

If you would like to find out a bit more about this lovely breed, check out the links below.
Labradoodle Club of Great Britain
Labradoodle Trust

Foxy a rescue success story

2009-10-26T08:08:00.003Z

We are on the beautiful island of Crete for the month of October. The scenery is lovely, and we are enjoying the warm, sunny days, making the most of the fact that we will be plunged back into winter when we return to the UK.

We have been looking after a dog here which its English owners brought from the UK, and is very much loved and looked after. We take her on daily walks along coastal paths, looking out over Sapphire blue waters. She is a keen swimmer and loves retrieving sticks.

We have come across many dogs on Crete who do not have such an idyllic lifestyle. It is fair to say that not all cultures are as dotty over animals as us Brits, but it is very hard to see dogs at best chained up on their own, with no shelter from rain or sun. Sometimes this may be on the side of a family property or in a field with a number of outhouses. We have been warned to watch out for pieces of fish being left about on the shore line, which locals lace with poison, to kill stray dogs. This is rare in the tourist season, but is widespread out of season.

During our stay we have come across many ex pats who have adopted dogs that have been abandoned on building sites when they were puppies, or rescued from people found stoning a poor animal just for fun.

One such case is Foxy. He came to his owner Roger from a friend who found him, and asked if Roger could foster him. He is very shy and very scared of humans. He has been with Roger for 3 months and in that time has learnt to trust him. He will come to be smoothed and is desperate for affection. He will not come into Roger's house, but it is still early days. Foxy in his new safe home.

He is very friendly to other dogs when they come to visit at Roger's house. It is sad to see that whilst other dogs will happily chase a ball and play with toys, Foxy does not know how to do this and if something is thrown to him, he immediately thinks he is going to be hit, and cowers away.

Being a young dog however, he is desperate to play, and curiosity soon gets the better of him with new people, whom he greets wagging his tail, keeping his distance at first, but if you remain quiet and let him come to you, eventually he will let himself be smoothed. It will be a slow process, but he will gradually get more confidence and realise he is safe whilst in the confines of this house and garden.

Foxy is a lucky pup who has been given a new lease of life. Others we have seen have become very 'street wise' hangning around tourist spots, putting on their sad little faces when they spot a tourist eating an ice cream or burger. They beg their bit of food and then they are off to find a spot in the shade to wait for their next bit of food.

Cretan animal welfare group
www.straysofgreece.org