Total Dog Magazine

Author: Jasmine Kleine

Blind Man With Service Dog Shouted At & Told To Get Out

A blind man has expressed his anguish after being shouted at and kicked out of a convenience store because of his service dog, Doc.

Michael Barnes is reliant on his loyal service dog to get around safely on public outings. Barnes told his local news channel, CBS Atlanta:

“Doc means a lot to me,” Barnes said. “Doc is not just a service animal. He’s my best friend, he’s my companion. When I’m out walking down the street, or when I’m walking through a store, Doc is my eyes. I tell him the direction, and he goes.”

Mr Barnes was visiting the store (Quick Pantry) with a friend, also blind, when he was yelled at by the manager, even though he and Doc had both visited the store previously.

“The manager rudely comes up to us and starts yelling, ‘No dogs in here, no dogs near food,’” Barnes said. “We actually pulled out the Georgia guide dog law to show him that these are service dogs, and that we have a right to come in the store.”

The pair called the police but were still denied entry by the store’s clerk, Hiteshkumar Patel.

Barnes and Weaver called police on the store clerk named Hiteshkumar Patel, but Patel still wouldn’t let the dogs into the store.

“All we want is the guy to allow us to come in, and to purchase our items. That’s all we wanted to do was go in, shop and leave,” Barnes explained.

CBS Atlanta visited Quick Pantry to speak with its owner Pete Patel, who explained that the business had since clarified to all staff that service dogs must be granted entry.

“On behalf of him and me, we didn’t know it was legal, that you can let them in,” Mr Patel stated.

Athens-Clarke County Police issued a statement saying that Barnes, Weaver and Hiteshkumar Patel are to attend a pre-warrant hearing in magistrate court and a decision will be made on whether any charges should be issued.

September 8, 2016
Your Dog Understands 165 Human Words But How Many Of His Barks Can YOU Translate?

Dogs, they say, have a vocabulary of some 165 human words. Wow!

You’ve surely seen this in action yourself? You’re sat there having a conversation with someone and you happen to mention a certain and all of a sudden a pair of canine ears prick up?

Sure, you’ve might have said; “That seems dangerous, I wouldn’t want to risk it”, but Fido heard; “This seems great, let’s all have a biscuit”.

It’s quite possible they are so smart they deliberately mishear us when it suits them. For example, ‘please come back now’ sometimes translates as ‘yes, I’d like you to do a few more laps of the park before we all go home’.

You see, when a word is said – and heard – it has to be acted on. If the word ‘walkies’ or anything sounding like it is said, we’ll get a full performance from our dog that means a contract had been drawn up, agreed and must be adhered to.

So if they’ve got our language pretty much covered, the question is – how much of theirs do YOU understand?

1. Continuous rapid barking, midrange pitch: “Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!” Continuous barking but a bit slower and pitched lower: “The intruder [or danger] is very close. Get ready to defend yourself!”

2. Barking in rapid strings of three or four with pauses in between, midrange pitch: “I suspect that there may be a problem or an intruder near our territory. I think that the leader of the pack should look into it.”

3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.” This is most often the response to confinement or being left alone for long periods of time.
See 7 More Dog Barks Translated

September 8, 2016
Staffordshire Bull Terriers Are Amazing – Here’s Just a Small Example Why

The Grosvenor Hotel in Park Lane last night saw the fourth annual Animal Hero Awards held by the RSPCA and the Mirror and hosted by Amanda Holden. It was a night to celebrate the bond between humans and animals, highlighted by the Special Recognition Award winners Sue Dicks and PC Lee Webb.

Sue Dicks, a supervisor at RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton and PC Lee Webb from Avon and Somerset Police work together to recognise those dogs with the potential to make it as police dogs.

Their first staffie success story was Kos who was rehomed to Lee at Avon and Somerset Police in 2012.

Most recently in June this year Boris the staffie became the 12th police dog to be rehomed to the force.

One of the dogs – a spaniel cross called Sid – went on to be trained as a sniffer dog specialising in explosives. He worked at the London 2012 Olympics and even became part of the team protecting President Barack Obama during his visit to Ireland in 2011.

PC Lee Webb said: “I am honoured and very surprised to have won this award – the other nominees did such a great job. It is nice to see Staffies given the recognition they deserve. Maybe other forces will consider using them now and we can change the lives of more dogs.”

He said, “I am an avid supporter of using rescue dogs wherever possible, choosing dogs based on ability not looks. I continue to be impressed with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and their crosses.

“The level of failure is low, because we look for very specific traits, and both Sue and I have a gut feeling when something good comes along.

“The work these dogs do is incredibly important particularly in the current climate where there are terror threats to the country involving firearms – these are the dogs working to sniff them out.”

Speaking of the success of the partnership PC Webb continued, “I am proud to have handled one of the Country’s first Staffy crosses, Kos, who was the first of his kind from West Hatch.

“The relationship I hold with West Hatch, is very dear to me. My relationship with Sue Dicks in particular is tremendously important to me.

“We both love dogs and trying to do the very best for them and our respective organisations. I feel honoured to have a trusting working relationship with such a prestigious centre, well known for its work with wildlife, and perhaps now for its work with dogs.”

PC Webb continued, “I hope that our special relationship will continue for the years ahead, and that we continue to provide dogs with a happy and fulfilled future.”

Sue Dicks, from the RSPCA, said: “I am very overwhelmed and didn’t expect this to happen – I am really shocked. I’m so proud of all the incredible dogs that have been rehomed from West Hatch. To know they are out there working for the public to make the world a safer place is a huge achievement.”

She continued, “These dogs were brought into us unwanted and victims of cruelty and neglect – but now they have become real life animal heroes.

“Dogs should never be judged on their appearance alone. I really hope the legacy of the work we carry out at West Hatch goes to show that all rescue dogs including staffies are incredibly loyal and hardworking dogs capable of great things.”

At last year’s Animal Hero Awards incredible rescue-turned-police dog Stella, pictured below, was awarded as Public Service Animal of the Year along with her handler PC Claire Todd. PC Todd this year was invited to sit on the judging panel of the Animal Hero Awards.

PC Todd, now takes Stella into schools to help promote her work, she said: “Working with Stella has completely changed my life. I have been blown away by her – even on her first day she sniffed out £200 cash. It’s easy to be sceptical as staffies aren’t typical police dog breeds but if you give them a chance the sky’s the limit.”

TV presenter Matt Johnson, who presented the award to Sue and Lee, said: “Staffies are such amazing dogs, they are friendly and loyal – the opposite to what people often think. I have heard so many fantastic stories here tonight, my Dad and my brother both work for the police so this one really hit home, dogs can fulfill so many purposes in people’s lives.

September 8, 2016
Who Would Do This? Young Chihuahua & Her Puppy Abandoned by Roadside, One Blind, One Missing a Foot

The RSPCA is appealing for information after two dogs – one missing a foot and one who is virtually blind – were abandoned by the side of the road.

The chihuahuas – a three-year-old bitch and her six-week-old puppy – were found beside the A127 in Basildon on 31 August. The dog warden was called and attended to collect the pair, neither of which had a microchip or any form of identification.

The mother, now named Peggy, is missing her back left foot – an injury which has now healed – so is likely to need treatment or possibly a prosthetic limb. The puppy, Pip Squeak, is virtually blind and has a swelling on her head believed to have been caused by Hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid on the brain.

The pair, both cream and white in colour, are being taken in by the RSPCA’s Essex South, Southend & District branch for care and treatment.

RSPCA inspector Marie Hammerton said: “We’d like to hear from anyone with any information about how these poor little dogs came to be abandoned by the side of a busy road.

“If anyone knows who may have dumped Peggy and Pip Squeak, or thinks they know where this pair may have come from, please get in touch by calling the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Every year the RSPCA is called out to rescue hundreds of animals across England and Wales after their owners abandon them and, in many cases, leave them for dead. In 2015, the charity collected 1,341 abandoned dogs. To assist our inspectors in rescuing abandoned animals and to help our hospitals in treating them, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/abandonment.

Inspector Hammerton added: “It’s now a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped, registered to a database and your contact details kept up-to-date.

“Not only have the people who dumped these dogs caused them great suffering and stress, but they’ve also broken the law by failing to have the mother microchipped (the puppy is still too young).”

September 7, 2016
Divorce, New Baby & Behaviour Problems – 3 Reasons Vets Are Asked to Put to Sleep Healthy Pets

While we generally assume as pet owners we form a group with one common thought – our pets are with us for too short a time – it seems, sadly, we’re not as new research out this week revealed the sad truth behind the headline with almost all vets admitting they’ve been asked to end a healthy pet’s life and over half (53%) saying it’s a common request.

The most common reasons given to vets for the request include behavioural issues (98%), a change in the owner’s circumstance, such as divorce (28%), moving overseas (23%) and a new baby in the family (22%).

The findings which have been released by the British Veterinary Association who represent the views of 15,000 members on animal health and welfare polled 700 vets across the UK.

British Veterinary Association President Sean Wensley said: “These figures are stark and are likely to come as a shock to members of the public. But this is the sad reality of a failure to socialise animals from the earliest possible age – a specific time in a puppy’s development which has a significant impact on their future temperament and behaviour.”

He continued, “Then, in the first year of ownership, and especially in the first few weeks, work with your local veterinary practice to ensure your puppy is introduced to everyday sights and sounds, including other people and animals, in a safe and structured way.”

September 7, 2016
A Trip to Barcelona Headed for Disaster But This Dog Showed What True Loyalty Is

After waiting for nearly an entire week outside of her owner’s hospital door, Maya, a two-year old Akita was eventually reunited with her beloved owner.

The loyal dog refused to move from her vigil, instead preferring to stay by the doorway of her sick owner’s hospital room.

The Akita Inu belongs to twenty two year old Sandra Iniesta, who was hospitalised near Alicante, Spain when she started suffering with pains in her stomach.

Maya waited outside of her hospital bed for a full 6 days before her owner was finally given the all clear to leave following treatment for what turned out to be a ruptured appendix.

Ms Iniesta and her father were on a trip to Barcelona when she fell ill, so the dog was travelling with the family at the time.

Even though Ms Iniesta’s father tried to lure the dog away with treats from her owner’s bedside vigil, Maya steadfastly refused to budge, loyally keeping a close watch on her ailing friend.

“She’s a fully paid-up member of the family,” Mr Iniesta told a local newspaper.

“I think she knows what is happening and she is showing that she can be patient,” he said.

Maya was so popular with hospital staff, they posted her photograph on their Facebook page and the story gained worldwide attention.

Ms Iniesta was surprised to learn how famous her loyal dog had become when she was finally given the all-clear to be discharged.

“She just did what she does at home in Barcelona, which is wait at the door of a place until I return,” Ms Iniesta said.

“After days of not seeing my girl Maya, the kiss and happiness at seeing me and her is priceless,” she added, in a post on Twitter.

September 6, 2016
People Eat These Regularly But When This Dog Did It Very Nearly Killed Him

A hungry hound from Glasgow has undergone life-saving surgery to remove 4ft of his intestines – all because he swallowed an item of food that many people eat on a regular basis.

Food based emergencies are frequently seen by vets, whether it’s food that is toxic to dogs, dogs eating too much of a food or dogs eating things they thought were food but weren’t. Regularly human food often finds itself in to the stomachs of our dogs and in most cases it’s no cause for alarm, but sometimes dogs eat things that can prove fatal to them.

Eating a corn-on-the-cob is not a good idea if you’re a dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback crossbreed, Sam (7), had an emergency operation to remove around half of his small intestine after PDSA vets discovered the corn husk was causing it to rot away.

PDSA Senior Vet, Susie Hermit, from the vet charity’s Glasgow Shamrock Street Pet Hospital, said it was one of the most severe cases she had ever seen:

“We found that the corn on the cob husk was causing a major blockage in Sam’s small intestine, restricting the blood supply.

“Unfortunately, some of the damage was irreversible and we had to remove around half of his intestine, which had begun to die off and rot. Sam was very lucky to survive. He was at high risk of developing potentially-fatal blood poisoning and the operation to remove such a large section of his intestines was incredibly risky.”

Sam’s owner, Lorraine Graham (43), from Tollcross, was petrified at the thought of losing her beloved pet.

She said: “We first noticed something was wrong was when Sam started being sick. and it gradually got worse until he was being sick every 20 minutes.

“I couldn’t believe it when PDSA x-rayed him and told us what was causing the blockage. We hadn’t been eating corn on the cob so he must have picked it up while outside,” she said.

“He was so weak and lethargic that I knew he was facing the fight of his life. Thankfully he pulled through and I can’t thank PDSA enough for saving him.”

“We’re extra careful with him now but I’m really happy that he’s made such a good recovery. He’s back to his old self again and is eating normally which is great.”

PDSA vets are issuing a warning to pet owners ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, as many people may be planning barbecues.

Corn on the cob was one of the most common items removed from pets last year with 28 cases treated by PDSA. Other strange items swallowed by pets include bones (51 cases) and kebab sticks (7).

Thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, PDSA is educating pet owners about the phenomenon of pets eating strange objects – known as ‘pica’ – and how to keep their animals’ safe.

Susie added: “Pets like to use their mouth to investigate objects as well as to eat. Puppies and younger pets will often swallow an item by mistake, even though they had only meant to investigate it.

“Something like corn on the cob might seem harmless enough but if an object moves along the digestive system, as it did with Sam, it can cause a tear or life-threatening blockage.

“If you have pets at home, try to keep anything dangerous or easy to swallow out of paws’ reach. Only let them play with suitable pet toys and try to supervise them to avoid any accidents. If you do suspect your pet has swallowed something you should contact your vet for advice immediately.”

BBQ safety tips

Skip the scraps: Eating barbecue scraps can upset your pet’s stomach. Undercooked, unfamiliar or fatty food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea
Bit it: Throw away any leftover food and rubbish into a lidded dustbin. At PDSA our vets often see pet who have eaten corn on the cob cores. These can cause a serious blockage and need removing by surgery
Keep fuel well out of reach: Lighter fluid can prove fatal if ingested as it contains hydrocarbons, which are derived from crude oil
Keep pets well away from flames and glowing embers: With all that fur around, your four-legged friends could get severe burns. So make sure they steer clear
Slap on the suncream: Pets can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke just like us. So give your pets some suncream, shade and plenty of water. For white fur or damaged skin, special pet suncreams are available from pet shops
Think when you drink: Keep glasses and drinks out of reach of thirsty pets. Alcohol can be particularly hazardous for pets. Use plastic cups as glass bottles, mugs and tea cups can easily smash into splinters to pierce paw

September 5, 2016
More Dogs Than You Think Have Got Heads Stuck out of the Car Window, According to New Research
We have no doubt all at some point been travelling in a car and spotted a dog excitedly looking out of the back window and wondered where they might be off to prompting thoughts of our own dogs. But it seems not all car journeys go smoothly for dog owners, according to new research.

The findings, released by Direct Line Pet Insurance reveal that a third of dog owners report their beloved pet dirtying the car and getting car sick.

While a third of pet owners say they have had problems when, in the style of the hit film ‘Marley and Me’, their dog has stuck its head out of the window.

For one in ten unlucky owners, their dog has even used the car as its toilet.

Speaking of the findings, Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “Some owners trust their animals to roam free around the car. However, even the most well behaved animal can become easily spooked or excited, which could distract you from the road, putting both you and your pet in danger. It’s important to adhere to the Highway Code to make sure you, your passengers and your pet is safe.”

The pet insurer offered these top tips to dog owners travelling
- Get your pet used to travelling in a car as early as possible to calm those shaky legs
- Reward your pet for good behaviour at the end of the journey with a tasty, animal-friendly treat
- Keep towels in the car at all times to clean those mucky paws
September 2, 2016
How Many Words Do Dogs Understand? (A: It’s a Surprisingly Large Amount!)

We all know our dogs can pick out certain words when spoken in casual conversation – but new research has shown that we’ve likely been underestimating our dogs vocabulary range for a long time.

How many words do you think your dog truly recognises?

September 2, 2016
If You Use This Flea Treatment Wrongly, Your Pet Could Die – Be Warned

The RSPCA has advised cat owners to carefully read the labels of flea and tick treatments before using them on their pets.

The warning comes after the charity was contacted by a panicked cat owner who was very concerned for her 10-month-old cat who was fitting having been treated with a spot on flea and tick treatment intended for use on dogs.

The woman, from Kenley in Surrey, got in touch with her local branch pleading for help after her cat started having fits. The cat was rushed to the vets but had to be put to sleep to prevent any further suffering.

The cat’s owner is very upset by the incident, which was made entirely in error, prompting the RSPCA’s warning to other owners.

Flea treatments for both cats and dogs are readily available to buy over the counter. But some dog treatments contain permethrin, a chemical which is highly toxic to cats. And many treatments are not suitable for very young animals so it’s important to check labels carefully before use.

RSPCA cat welfare expert, Alice Potter, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the owner of this cat who realised she had made a dreadful mistake but realised all too late.

“Only give your pet flea treatment that has been recommended for them, it’s always best to speak to your vet about which products are safe to use and, if you have cats and dogs, be sure to read the labels carefully before administering.

“Products suitable for one may not be suitable for the other. Some dog treatments contain permethrin which is safe for dogs but highly toxic to cats.”

If your pet gets fleas it’s important to treat the animal and your home as fleas can survive in carpets and furniture for many months. Use a vet-recommended household and pet bedding flea spray.

Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas. Throw away the bag from the vacuum cleaner afterwards.

Fleas are a parasite and can affect dogs, cats, rabbits and even humans. Some types can leap from host to host.

Fleas only suck blood once they are adults but can live on pets for up to a 100 days, with females laying up to 50 eggs a day.

If your pet is scratching or has visible insects (which could look like dark specks) in its fur then they could have fleas. Groom your pet with a fine-tooth comb over a white surface, any fleas or droppings will fall out. Add water and if the droppings turn reddish-brown, it’s likely they have fleas.

As well as making pets uncomfortable, fleas can cause allergic reactions and can pass diseases to your pet, such as myxomatosis in rabbits. In really serious cases, flea infestations can make pets very weak and can even cause death as a result of blood loss.

September 1, 2016
It’s #nationaldogday – Now Watch These Very Special, Happy Dogs

On #nationaldogday, what better way to celebrate our friend the canine than by sharing their joy at one of their most favourite of all things….

August 26, 2016
Not All Brazilians Were Happy the Olympics Came to Rio, but These Animals Were

The build up to Rio hosting the 2016 Olympic games was a mixture of excitement and unhappiness with many Brazilians vocalising their thoughts that finances allocated towards the games could have been spent elsewhere, but as the games got underway and medals fell, the memory of Rio’s games, and hopefully the Paralympic Games are sure to be remembered more fondly.

Indeed, it will for the animals rescued and named after Olympus Gods who have met with gold medal winning members of Team USA, Eleanor Davis Logan and Tessa Gobbo at an adoption event hosted by World Animal Protection after being found living at one of Rio 2016’s construction sites.

Gold medal winners Tessa Gobbo and Eleanor Davis Logan, pictured here with Athena

Before visiting the adoption event, Eleanor, who is a known dog lover with her own dog regularly featuring on her Instagram page, adopted two cats from NGO Oito Vidas.

The gold medal rowers spent some time with a dog named Isaquias at the event

While visiting the World Animal Protection adoption event, she became particularly enchanted by a puppy named after Brazilian tennis player Guga saying, ‘I hope he gets adopted.’ After holding him for several minutes, she reluctant let him go.

Eleanor Davis Logan loaned Zeus her gold medal to help him shine and stand out from the crowd at the event

To their fans and every Brazilian who watched the Games, Eleanor and Tessa sent a clear message: ‘Support the Olympics by adopting a dog.’

At a different event, one lucky pup, named after the Brazilian soccer team captain, Marta, was given a fresh start in life after being adopted by Carina Gomes and her boyfriend.

The pair had been considering getting a dog for some time and it went down to the wire as the event gathered many ‘ahh’s’ but hours in, no adoptions had been made. Until, that is, Carina and her partner turned up and fell in love with Marta.

Carina was alerted to the adoption event hosted in Rio’s Barra da Tijuca by her mother. As the couple arrived, the sun was already setting and they received an enthusiastic welcome by Marta.

All Photo Credits: World Animal Protection

After playing with the sweet mutt for a while, they thanked the adoption staff and left without a dog. But as they walked away, all while being watched from a distance, the couple hesitated, began talking and looking back.

Marta was cheering for it and so were the adoption staff. The couple started their way back after a few minutes and decided to adopt her. It was an exciting last minute victory, much like Brazil’s own football victory at the Olympics!

After a successful interview and application completed, which told the organisation all about the couple’s experience and guidance for responsible ownership, Marta headed off into the sunset with her new owners jumping with joy.

Speaking of her reason for adopting, Marta said, ‘There are many abandoned animals that need a home today. I’m so happy.’

World Animal Protection will continue to host their adoption events throughout the Paralympic Games and beyond. Keep up to date with the locations of the events online at www.worldanimalprotection.org

August 24, 2016
Dog Fleas Are A Big Risk For Your Dog – Here’s Why
Vet charity PDSA is warning that nearly 4 million dogs and cats are at risk of flea infestations this summer after shock findings show a huge increase in the number of animals left exposed to their harmful effects.

The charity’s latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report showed a decline since 2014 of 900,000 cats and dogs** receiving preventive medication to protect them from the blood-sucking parasites.

Meanwhile, milder winters and widespread central heating have provided the perfect conditions for the UK flea population to increase in recent years. But they’re not just an inconvenience, in very young pets a flea infestation can even be deadly.

“A flea infestation can cause intense suffering for a pet. Their skin will become itchy and inflamed, and some pets will scratch so much that their skin becomes sore and infected. For some, such as young kittens and puppies it can be incredibly serious,” said PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman.

“High infestations of fleas can cause a condition called flea anaemia. This is where the parasites have drained so much blood that they leave the animal desperately weak. In younger and smaller pets this can quickly become life threatening.”

PDSA is highlighting the issue after two kittens from a litter in Birmingham tragically died from flea anaemia.

Rebecca Thorne, Senior Vet at PDSA’s Aston Pet Hospital, explained that the litter was brought in with severe flea-bite anaemia last month.

She said: “Two kittens were brought into the hospital by their owner after a third had sadly passed away.

“The smaller kitten, called Rosie, had very pale gums, was collapsed and cold. The other kitten, Logan, was livelier but they were both covered in fleas.

“We gave both kittens intensive care. We fought as hard as we could but sadly we weren’t able to save Rosie. However, we were able to save Logan and thankfully he has gone on to make a full recovery.”

The kittens’ owner, Charlotte Bennett, said she had used over-the-counter products to treat her cats but they didn’t seem to be effective.

She said: “The treatment didn’t work and the kittens began to deteriorate. I’m devastated by what has happened and want to warn others about how dangerous fleas can be.”

In a separate case, PDSA vets in Bristol saved a kitten which had collapsed after developing flea anaemia. The kitten was nursed back to health while its littermates also received treatment to rid them of the parasites.

Vet Rebecca Ashman said it was important for owners to carry out a regular flea treatment regime as recommended by their vet.

She said: “It’s worrying that there’s been such an increase in the number of pets that have never received flea treatments. Even if your pets don’t go outside, flea eggs and larvae can still be brought into the home on clothing and shoes. Flea infestations can cause terrible suffering, so regular flea prevention really is an essential part of taking care of your pet.

“Thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery we’re educating more pet owners about the importance of regular treatment and will be dispensing 200,000 flea treatments to pets this year.”

PDSA’s top tips for foiling fleas:
- Treat regularly – frequent treatments are needed to keep on top of any fleas that may be trying to set up home in your pet’s fur. Check the label or ask your vet if you’re not sure how often to do this as it’s important to use treatments correctly.
- Choose the right product – ask your vet which product would be best for your pet. Some products may not be as effective as others. If you have more than one pet, make sure the product is suitable for each pet and follow the instructions to the letter. Never use a dog-specific flea treatment on a cat, as these can contain a higher dosage that could cause fatal poisoning.
- Treat all your pets – fleas can jump straight from one species to another, so it’s important to treat all the pets in your house regularly at the same time.
- Treat the environment too – wash your pet’s bedding and any blankets they use at the highest temperature possible as often as you can, and vacuum areas where they frequently lie. Flea eggs and larvae can live in soft furnishings, and as some products only deal with adult fleas it’s important to break the cycle.
- Treat for other parasites – fleas can lead to other problems such as tapeworm, so a regular worming program is also important.
Did you know?
- Fleas thrive in a warm environment, which is why flea cases increase during the summer months, and in the late autumn when the central heating is first switched on.
- Fleas can jump 20cm high, 4ft long and will jump around 10,000 times when looking for a dog or cat host.
- Fleas can feed for up to three hours from one site, and can eat up to 140% of their own body weight in blood.
- Eggs, larvae and pupae can also be carried into and around the house on the soles of our shoes
August 22, 2016
Rescue Dog Meets Heartthrob Duncan James to Launch Campaign Searching for Britain’s Best Dog Walk

The Blue frontman turned Hollyoaks actor has teamed up with a well known bingo brand to help find Britain’s Best Dog Walk meeting Tallula from The Mayhew Animal Home on the South Downs National Park walk to launch the campaign.

Photo Credit: Solent News and Photos

The nine year old Shih Tzu is looking for a new home to call her own and found a common bond with Duncan through ailments. Despite losing both her eyes and now waiting for her third home, beautiful and charismatic Tallula has never given up hope and this just shows how far she has come.

When she was just two years old she developed severe ulcers in both of her eyes. The vets and Tallula’s family had to make the hard decision to remove her eyes, as they were not responding to treatment.

Later when Tallula was about eight years old her owners decided to rehome her with a family friend. Sadly Tallula had only been with her new owners for seven months when they decided to bring her into The Mayhew for adoption.
The owners had started off with good intentions; however when their son brought home a new puppy they were worried that they would not be able to cope, and decided to rehome Tallula.

Find out more about Tallula here

With her playful and energetic nature, you would not think at first that Tallula was blind. This gorgeous girl has so much character; she loves playing with her toys, snores like a trooper and will even chat back to you if you talk to her.

Even though Tallula has lost both her eyes and Duncan recently revealed his struggles to walk after suffering from a spinal disk prolapse, they were far from feeling blue. It didn’t stop them both enjoying the sunny weather and country air while helping to launch the campaign.

To cast your vote in Gala Bingo’s search for Britain’s Best Dog Walk, please visit here. Voting closes August 22nd.

For every public vote cast out of the 15 National Parks shortlisted, including the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Cairngorms National Park, and the New Forest, Gala Bingo will make a 50p donation up to the value of £3,000 to The Mayhew.

August 19, 2016
In These Movies They Claimed No Animal Was Hurt, But Were They Actually Telling The Truth?

We all know the score. We watch a movie, see a horse go down, we wince, a bit, but we then reassure ourselves that “No Animals Were Harmed”(R) when the end-credit disclaimer at the end of theatrical film rolls.

It is the assurance of the filmmakers that the animal actors used in those productions were not killed or injured in any way, and that their well-being and safety were assured by the trusted and the right to use this motif is issued by the American Humane Association. However, some recent movies are misleading the public, so says the AHA.

The movies falsely using the AHA are creating a significant breach of trust with audiences by inserting unauthorized “No Animals Were Harmed” end credits that have not been granted by American Humane, and whose productions were not monitored on-set by American Humane and its international cadre of highly trained Certified Animal Safety Representatives(TM).

“American Humane sets standards of care for animals in entertainment, upholds our Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media, and records objective reports from the set attesting to the treatment of the animals,” said Karen Rosa, American Humane’s vice president in charge of its Film & TV Unit. “Films that meet these standards are eligible to carry the end credit, and this misuse of American Humane’s registered trademark is an affront to those producers who legitimately and conscientiously meet those standards.”

American Humane’s Film & TV Unit, based in the Los Angeles area, exposed these recent films as using deceptive and unauthorized end credits:

— Adam by Olympus Pictures, Deer Path Productions, Serenade Films, Vox3
Films.
— District 9 by WingNut Films Limited, Key Creatives and LLC/QED Intl.
— Easy Virtue by Ealing Studios, Fragile Films, Endgame Ent., Odyssey
Ent.
— How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Number 9 Films.

— Shrink by Ignite Entertainment, Ignite Productions, Ithaka
Entertainment and Trigger Street Productions.

In each instance, American Humane has sent the production entities, studios and/or distributors a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the unauthorized end-credit disclaimers be removed immediately from the theatrical version, the DVD version and any other versions they are releasing. Some studios and producers have indicated they will remove the illegitimate credit, while others are making excuses or taking no action and, thus, are potentially compounding possible infringement of American Humane’s protected trademark. This furthers the willful deception of the public as to the veracity of the safety and well-being of the animals used in those films.

“We encourage filmmakers to work with American Humane, and for distributors to verify the legitimacy of the ‘No Animals Were Harmed'(R) credit, before approving and finalizing any film prints for theatrical release or DVD distribution,” Rosa noted. “Viewers, too, should always look for the ‘No Animals Were Harmed'(R) end credit, and they can check our Web site, www.americanhumane.org/film to see what rating we assigned to films, based on their use of animals, and to find out how the animal action was achieved on films that we monitored.”

August 19, 2016