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6 in 10 Dog Owners Suspect Pets of Suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
New research out this week claims that 6 in 10 dog owners suspect their dogs of suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Often more associated with humans than man’s best friend, SAD, also known as the winter blues is a type of depression that recurs on a seasonal basis.

Experts believe that the less time spent outside in the sunshine during winter months can cause dogs to suffer the same symptoms as humans who have the seasonal condition – and with British dog owners admitting to walking their dogs up to 50% less in the winter months, this could lead to problems in itself.

The research, which was commissioned by Forthglade, has revealed that of the 61% of dog owners who are concerned about their pets’ behaviour over the winter months, an increased appetite, a reluctance to go outside, low mood and lethargy are the most common signs picked up on by the pet owners.

Almost half (44%) also told the dog food firm that they had consulted a behaviourist about concerns.

Speaking about the findings dog behaviourist Nick Jones, said: “The long dark days of winter don’t just take a toll on the two-legged population. Our four-legged friends also feel the strain with many exhibiting symptoms that replicate the human condition Seasonal Affective Disorder.

“Lethargy, an increased appetite, irritability and a reluctance to go outside and exercise are typical behaviours exhibited by dogs in the colder months when natural sunlight is at a minimum.

“There are simple steps dog owners can take to help their pets. Taking walks in daylight hours is a must, and good nutrition also plays a very big part. Poor diet can be directly linked to lethargy and depression within canines. It’s more important than ever during winter months to feed your dog a healthy natural diet – comfort eating in winter is as bad for pets as it is for humans.”

Nick offers these top tips if you are concerned about your dog suffering from Seasonal Affected Disorder:
- During the week, when your time is limited, try placing your pet’s bed under a skylight or close to a window to help take advantage of what little light there is
- Nutrition also plays a big part, and poor diet can be directly linked to lethargy and depression within canines
- Play games inside the home to stimulate the dog, such as ‘find it’ games up the stairs and in rooms, indoor agility or ‘take it and leave it’ games
- No matter the size or shape, the garden also offers a great outdoor space for your dog to get some natural sunlight
- Feed your dog a healthy, natural diet with no artificial additives – eating poor quality dog food, or even our leftover food can increase behavioural problems and isn’t good for your dog’s overall health
January 26, 2017
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
Fat Dog Needs Intervention – Now Look at The Transformation (Channel 5 Dog Rescuers)

Alan Davies returns for an even bigger and better fourth series of ‘The Dog Rescuers’. Viewers will follow the familiar faces of the RSPCA’s finest, plus some new friends, as they continue their crusade against cruelty and neglect of dogs. The series features dramatic rescues, inspirational rehabilitations and heart-warming rehomings, plus the four-legged heroes who work on our behalf, new ways to bond with man’s best friend, and the life of a rescue pup from birth, through walkies, and all the way to adulthood.

In this episode we meet an overweight whippet who has been spoiled by his elderly owner in Essex. Inspector for Essex Marie Hammerton responds to a call about an overweight whippet called Blue. With the help of a new diet and exercise regime from their vet, Blue must shed some pounds before there are any serious consequences.

Blue the Whippet initially weighed 29kg and for the filming weigh-in for The Dog Rescuers has dropped down to 23.4kg. . In the month following this, he has continued his progress and lost another kilogram.

Blue was fed a simple cup of biscuits a day, and was given strictly no snacks- apart from the occasional carrot. He also went on longer walks, multiple times a day and the whole family got involved in playing with Blue to keep him stretching his legs.

Inspector Marie Hammerton was a prison officer for three years before turning her hand to animals in 2014. Her life has always revolved around animals and she dreamt of being an RSPCA inspector ever since she was a little girl with the hope of being able to rescue animals from desperate situations.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Richards said: “Recent studies have suggested that around half of all pet dogs are overweight, and this can cause serious health and welfare issues for our dogs such as heart disease and diabetes. Being obese can reduce the length and quality of our dogs’ lives.

The good news is that there are simple steps that owners can take to check that their pets are the right weight and keep them happy and healthy. And it’s always best to seek advice from a vet if you’re not sure if your pet is the right weight, or if you’re concerned that they might be overweight.”

See Blue’s Amazing Transformation From Fat Dog to Healthy Hound

Top ten tips for keeping your dog healthy from the RSPCA

· If you think your dog might be overweight always consult your vet in the first instance.

· As a guide – you should be able to see and feel the outline of your pet’s ribs without excess fat covering.

· You should be able to see and feel your pets waist and it should be clearly visible when viewed from above.

· Your pet’s belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side.

· Get your pet weighed at the vets regularly if you are concerned.

· How much your dog needs to eat depend on their diet, lifestyle and health. Read and follow the feeding instructions on any dog foods that you buy.

· If you want to give your dog treats consider using low fat alternatives instead of shop bought treats try a small amount of cucumber, carrot or small pieces of chicken. Always consult your vet before doing this.

· If you want to give your dog treats for example if you are training them you should incorporate this into their daily food allowance and reduce accordingly.

· You could use playful interaction with your dog or a special toy as a reward instead.

Always make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise – how much this is depends on the age, health and type of your dog – but they should be going out for a walks at least once per day.

In other stories, in Thornton Heath, South London, Inspector Nick Wheelhouse is called out to see three adult mastiffs and nine puppies who are all drastically underweight. Will Gaza, the mother and the skinniest of the dogs, be able to regain the weight she so desperately needs.

Overweight whippet Blue had been spoiled by his elderly owner in Essex. With the help of a new diet and exercise regime from their vet, Blue must shed some pounds before there are any serious consequences.

Back in January 2015 nine poodles were found by the side of the road near Winchester. Their wet, matted coats accounted for over 2/5 of their body weight. We catch up with Mavis and her new owner Sally Firth as she takes her for a full grooming and pampering treatment at Pooch Dog Spa in Farnborough.

Prince the sharpei was found with barely a hair on his body. Anthony Pulfer checks in on him to see whether with treatment he has started to look more like a dog again.

If you would like nothing better than to give a disadvantaged dog like these a happy home, we have a super staffy for you in our live appeal this week.

August 2, 2016
What Breed of Dog Killed Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones?

If you haven’t yet seen Game of Thrones episode 9, season season 6 then this post is just a tiny bit spoilery. Sorry, not sorry. Millions of people around the world have been celebrating the fictional death of one of the small screen’s most reviled villains. Ramsay Bolton went out at the jaws of one of his own ‘hounds’. He made a point of not feeding his dogs and, as is possible in the fictional genre of Game of Thrones, a hungry hound is permitted to eat its owner if that owner happens to have been, shall we say, a bit of a meanie? How mean? Well, Ramsay has a track record for killing his own father, step-mother and step-brother and let’s not even get in to what he did to Sansa and Theon. Let’s keep it light shall we, this is a celebration!

Let’s momentarily agree to overlook the reality that most dogs wouldn’t eat their owner face first if they’d missed out on food for a few days. This is Game of Thrones and this is a character deserving of such a grisly demise.

So. Dog lovers. What breed of dog ate Ramsay Bolton?

It’s a dark, dingy picture. But what’s your best guess?

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Did you get it? Of course you did!

We’re looking at a Cane Corso.

The Cane Corso, pronounced kha-neh kor-so [ˈkaːne ˈkɔrso] from Italian Cane (dog) and Corso (either meaning courtyard or guard), also known as the Italian Mastiff, is a large Italian breed of dog, for years valued highly in Italy as a companion, guard dog, and hunter.

The Cane Corso is a descendant of the canis pugnax, dogs used by the Romans in warfare. Its name derives from cane da corso, an old term for those catch dogs used in rural activities (for cattle and swine; boar hunting, and bear fighting) as distinct from cane da camera which indicates the catch dog kept as a bodyguard. In the recent past, its distribution was limited to some regions of Southern Italy, especially in Basilicata, Campania, and Apulia.

The Cane Corso is a catch dog used with cattle and swine, and also in wild boar hunts. Cane Corso were also used to guard property, livestock, and families, and some continue to be used for this purpose today. Historically it has also been used by night watchmen, keepers, and, in the past, by carters and drovers. In the more distant past this breed was common all over Italy, as an ample iconography and historiography testify.

As life changed in the southern Italian rural farms in the 20th century, the Corso began to become rare. A group of enthusiasts began recovery activities designed to bring the dog back from near extinction in the late 1970s. By 1994, the breed was fully accepted by the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) as the 14th Italian breed of dog. The FCI provisionally accepted the Corso in 1997, and ten years later was fully recognised internationally. In the US, the American Kennel Club first recognized the Cane Corso in 2010. The popularity of the breed continues to grow, ranking in 50th place in the United States in 2013, a jump from 60th place in 2012.

Experts in the breed tend to agree that the Cane Corso is a dog best suited to experienced owners. Loyal and intelligent, the breed has a strong owner community around the world.

Some of the health problems known to exist with the Cane Corso are hip dysplasia, eye problems such as entropion or ectropion, demodectic mange, and a tendency toward gastric torsion, as is true with many large breeds.

Cane Corso dogs for adoption.

If evil Ramsay Bolton’s fictional death served to tell us one thing in particular, it’s that dogs are always good for serving humanity in the best way they know how.

June 21, 2016
Could This Revolutionary SmartBone Completely Transform Your Dog’s Alone Time?

Every week that goes by a new dog toy, food or accessory will be amid fanfare that it’s the most revolutionary or biggest game changer. Rarely are those claims able to stand up to serious scrutiny. This one might be different. This one really could be as game changing as products like the Kong.

Take a look at the concept for the GoBone. Can you picture this product lighting up your dog’s life in those moments when they’re on their own?

PulsePet, the company behind the product, opened pre-order sales for the smartbone on May 31 via the crowdfunding site Kickstarter and met its first goal in just five days. The firm says:

The GoBone keeps dogs active with automatic, all-day entertainment while their owner is unavailable. The GoBone can also be used as an app-controlled gaming device for owners to play with their dogs in a fun, unique way when they are together. Working toward meeting its stretch funding goal, today PulsePet announced a new charitable contribution.

“As a dog owner and animal shelter volunteer, I know how much being bored and lonely can stress a dog,” says Santiago Gutierrez, CEO and founder. “When I created the GoBone, my original goal was to keep my dog Rufus entertained while he was home alone. But then I realized the GoBone could also be used to improve the bond between owners and their pets through interactive games they can play together. When we tested the GoBone initially, we did so with shelter dogs of all sizes. I saw the impact it made so donating to a local Dallas shelter just made sense as a great way to give back”

GoBone is partnering with Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center to donate more than $1,000 worth of GoBones to the shelter. The GoBones will help mentally stimulate the dogs and engage them in their kennels. The GoBones will also help engage volunteers under the age of 18 who are not allowed to physically interact with animals. With the GoBone App, they will be able to play with the dogs by controlling the GoBone and playing games with them from outside the kennels.

“As the Dallas Animal Advisor Commissioner (District 1), I’ve been involved with several recently-adopted dogs from local animal shelters that were very reclusive and withdrawn,” said Chris Watts. “The GoBone provides mental and physical stimulation that brings out their personalities. Since interacting with the GoBone, they’ve become entirely different dogs.“

Using patent-pending algorithms, the GoBone automatically adjusts its behavior based on the dog’s age, weight, breed, and play style to engage them longer and more often than other toys. For example, the GoBone moves quickly and takes sharp turns for an Aussie puppy. It slows down and takes easy turns for an older bulldog. Owners can set the GoBone on auto mode or they can schedule playtime via the GoBone App. When together, owners can choose to control the GoBone via the app, giving them more ways to play and interact with their dog.

“The GoBone is effective for playing with and exercising animals,” said Laura Young, Dallas Dog Behaviorist and AKC certified evaluator. “ As a dog behaviorist and trainer, I also see it as an innovative training and assessment tool. The GoBone lets me observe a dog’s natural style of play and drive, which helps me custom-tailor my training techniques to the individual dog’s personality.”

The ultra- durable exterior is replaceable so owners don’t need to buy a whole new GoBone if by chance it gets damaged. It is lightweight so pups can easily carry it around inside or outside. Owners can also customize colors and attachments as they’re introduced. The GoBone’s rechargeable battery lasts eight hours in autonomous mode and 30 minutes in freestyle (manual) mode. As many dogs may not have encountered an automated toy, the creators at GoBone have developed an introduction process to ensure even the most timid dogs gradually fall in love with the GoBone.

The GoBone was designed with safety and durability in mind. All parts that come in contact with dogs are made from FDA food-grade, eco-friendly materials. Multiple hardware and software safeties are in place to keep dogs safe. The GoBone has been tested for over 1,000 hours with more than 120 dogs in homes and shelters, where it has already demonstrated its positive influence on many dogs. For shelter dogs in particular, the GoBone has helped them become more active in their pens, showing potential adopting families the dog’s true self. The PulsePet team believes so strongly in the benefit shown to shelter dogs, that in addition to providing GoBones to a local Dallas shelter, PulsePet offers two Kickstarter pledge options that allow consumers to donate a GoBone to the shelter of choice to help as many dogs as possible.

Visit http://bit.ly/GoBone to pledge your support and save off the final retail price. For the cost of a week’s worth of doggy daycare, your best friend will enjoy all-day mental and physical exercise no matter how your day unfolds. For more information about GoBone, please visit http://www.mygobone.com.

June 16, 2016
How to Keep Children and Dogs Safe Together

The RSPCA is encouraging parents to teach their children how to behave – and more importantly, how not to behave – around dogs.

As Dog Bite Prevention Week (12 – 19 June) nears, the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation is urging parents to spend some time educating children on the best way to approach a dog, and how to act around dogs.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “As a mother and dog owner myself, it’s clear that children and dogs can be really great friends. Dogs can also help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Having a dog as a friend can improve a child’s social skills with people and caring for a pet can encourage responsibility.

“But, just as parents teach their children how to act around traffic and how to safely cross the road, it’s also their responsibility to show youngsters how to behave when they’re around their own or other dogs – either in public places, or in private homes and gardens.”

This is particularly important as the summer holidays approach and as the weather improves, meaning children and dogs are more likely to be sharing outside spaces and are likely to come into contact with each other.

According to data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the age group with the highest number of hospital admissions for dog bites was children aged under nine*. And hospital bite statistics also show that young children are more likely to be bitten by a family dog rather than one they don’t know.

As well as dog owners ensuring their pets are trained and socialised properly, it is also important for children to understand dog behaviour and how to interact with them safely.

In 2014, the RSPCA partnered up with vet and animal behaviourist Dr Sophia Yin to develop a series of educational material to teach children how they should and shouldn’t interact with dogs, and with certified clinical animal behaviourist Julie Bedford to produce a leaflet for parents highlighting different behaviours dogs use depending on how they feel.

Giving this advice to children and vital information to parents should help avoid situations where children could get bitten by dogs..

Children and Dog Safety: Six Golden Rules

The RSPCA has six golden rules for keeping kids safe and dogs happy:

Never leave your child alone in a room with a dog, even your own dog.

Teach kids not to approach dogs if they are eating or have food; if they have a toy or something else they really like; if they are sleeping or on their bed; or are sick, sleeping, in pain or tired.

Remind your child to be kind, gentle and polite to their pets.

Teach your child to play nicely with their dog, by encouraging them to teach fun tricks like paw, play dead and roll over.

Always supervise your child when they are with a dog, and look for signs that the dog might be feeling uncomfortable such as yawning, lip licking or avoiding eye contact.

Teach children not to approach an unfamiliar dog or one which you, as parents, don’t know to be friendly towards children.

“We also recommend providing your dog with a cosy spot in a quiet room where they can retreat to if they need or want their own space,” Dr Gaines adds. “It’s good to teach your children to leave the dog alone when he/she is in this area.

“It’s also a nice idea for children to strengthen their bond with the family dog by playing fun and safe games such as hiding treats in the garden for the dog to find, playing fetch, and trying simple training.”

June 6, 2016
Meet the Dogs (& Their Owners) Who Sold up to Travel Around Europe & Wrote a Book About It

Two years ago the Burton family sold their house, packed up their belongings, bought a motorhome and have been travelling Europe ever since with their two dogs Ozwena who is a beagle and Uluru a fox red Labrador.

Their adventures were relayed through a three-part series in K9 Magazine and they have now written a book called ‘DUST’ that chronicles the journey that is told partly through Ozwena’s eyes.

Read on to find out what Ozwena has to say about travelling Europe with her parents.

What is it like for a dog travelling in a motorhome?

At first it was a little strange. Moving from a fairly large house to a small motorhome took a bit of adjusting. I have never enjoyed travelling in a car so I’ve been surprised as to how comfortable travelling in a motorhome is. We recently had a hire car and I still detest travelling this way so can only presume the additional size and space in the motorhome, along with slower driving speeds suits me.

My bed is different as it’s raised off the floor and is now the front seat of the van but I’m used to this now and this is where I call home. I always feel safe in the motorhome and the company from my sister Uluru makes it so much better.

You must have had quite a lot of preparation to do before your trip. Tell us about it.

I had to visit my local vet to get a pet passport that allowed me to travel in Europe. At my appointment, the vet gave me an examination that included checking I had a microchip and then scanning me to find my identification number which is now written on my passport. I also had to for me and of course one for Uluru my sister. I also have to wear a scalibor collar as to protect me from leishmaniasis which is a tropical and sub-tropical disease spread through sand flies that can be found in some parts of Europe. More importantly, this also covers me against ticks.

What did you take with you?

I took my doggy bag with me and packed my favourite toy, my lead and a blanket that I’ve had since I was a puppy. I also have a collar with my name and number stitched onto it which is important in case I run away which I tend to do quite frequently! Other things that I took are some tweezers in case I do get any ticks so that these can be easily removed. I also have medication for fleas that I have dabbed on my neck every few months. I got fleas once and it was an awful itching experience.

How did you manage with the differences in foods in Europe?

My favourite interest is eating and I’m not a fussy eater at all. I dine out on many delicacies and have tasted foods from all around Europe to include octopus, anchovies, polish stew, with my favourite being tapas. I get dried dog biscuits each morning and night (with a spoonful of tinned dog meat) and these are similar to the ones I used to get back home. Most supermarkets in Europe sell the same or similar brands so it’s not a problem.

Are there any dog laws in Europe?

There are frustrating dog laws in Spain where dogs are not allowed on any public transport which

In Italy, I’m allowed onto trains, buses and boats but only if I wear a muzzle, this can be embarrassing

If you are a dog in Norway then you have to stay on the lead from the 1 st April until the 20th August and this is to protect wildlife as many new animals are born at this time so fair enough really.

The other places I’ve visited have been very dog friendly.

Ozwena at Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps

Tell me the best bits of travelling in a motorhome.

Being with my sister Uluru and my parents Paul and Emma 24/7 is the best thing about travelling. And my walks last much longer than they used to and I love having the freedom to go where I like and to explore the endless beaches and woods in Europe. I’m an active dog and as a beagles I like to sniff out places and have found endless scents that take me running and exploring for miles and miles.

Everyone travelling Europe seems to have a dog with them and this is partly due to the relaxing of quarantine laws which means us dogs can travel which is so much better than staying at home whilst my parents go off and have fun!

And you’ve wrote a book about your travels, tell us about this?

I’m a well travelled beagle and have covered over 25,000 kilometres and visited 19 countries. I’ve been as far North as the Arctic Circle and as far south as Morocco. You can read about what I get up to in my book where I was kidnapped in Spain, washed out to sea in Italy and fell from cliffs in Portugal. Travelling Europe really is the best thing that has ever happened to me after realising life is for living before turning to DUST.

What’s next?

We are leaving the UK again shortly and heading east to explore that part of Europe. We didn’t get that far the last time so it will be great to go and explore further afield. My parents have researched these countries and they seem to be dog friendly places but I will however let you know how I get on. You can read about my trip by visiting my blog: beagleburton.wordpress.com

TV presenter Declan Donnelly with a copy of DUST

If the Burton family adventures have inspired you, you can enter and win your very own copy of ‘DUST’ as told by Ozwena, comment below telling us why you would like to win a copy (keeping your email address hidden behind your username).

Two UK winners will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

June 2, 2016
Pet Food Partnership Will Help Veterans With PTSD

K9s For Warriors and Merrick Pet Care are partnering to demonstrate the effective role service dogs play in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disability (PTSD) among American military veterans.

Merrick announced at Global Pet Expo 2016 it will now offer its Hero’s Banquet canned recipe year round and donate a portion of the item’s proceeds to underwrite research on how pairing specially trained rescue dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI), helps veterans readjust to civilian life. The research will be conducted by Purdue University’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond.

"More than half a million war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disability and struggle to see that there is life after combat," said Shari Duval, president, K9s For Warriors. "We know these specially trained service dogs give warriors suffering from PTSD a new leash on life and with Merrick’s help we are now going to be able to scientifically validate this particular treatment’s success. With this evidence, we hope to increase political and financial support of trained service animals as an effective treatment intervention for PTSD."

"There is currently no comprehensive evidence to support the validity of service dogs as an effective therapeutic intervention for veterans diagnosed with PTSD or their families and we’re hoping to change that," said Greg Shearson, CEO of Merrick Pet Care.

The $250,000 donated by Merrick will allow for research to create guidelines to predict efficacy based on warrior characteristics and to identify the organizational and service dog training standards required to achieve desired outcomes.

Merrick’s help and commitment to veterans and service dogs also includes hundreds and thousands of pounds of high-quality food and treats it provides to K9s For Warriors. In addition to feeding these best service dogs ever, Merrick launched a limited-edition special can recipe of Merrick dog food, Hero’s Banquet, last fall, honoring American military veterans. The 12.76 oz. can will now be available nationally year-round at Petco, independent pet supply stores and online with a suggested retail price of $2.99 beginning in September.

K9s For Warriors helps veterans with PTSD and/or TBI have a new outlook on life. The non-profit group carefully selects dogs for their program from animal shelters across the country and professionally trains them at their facility. The dogs are then matched with warriors with whom they live, learn and bond together for three weeks with up to 16 other warrior-dog teams.

For more information about the Merrick/K9s for Warriors partnership, watch one warrior-dog team story, click here.

March 16, 2016
Could This Dog IQ Test Help People With Dementia?

Dogs have measurable IQs, like people, suggests new research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Edinburgh.

The research, published in the journal Intelligence, looked at whether dog intelligence is structured in a similar way as in humans. When IQ, or ‘general intelligence’, is tested in people, individuals tend to perform comparably across different types of cognitive tasks – those who do well in one type of task, tend to do well in others.

For the purpose of this research, the team created a proto-type dog ‘IQ test’ which they used to assess the intelligence of 68 working Border Collies and carried out a series of tests including: navigation, tested by timing how long it took the dogs to get food that was behind different types of barriers; assessing whether they could tell the difference between quantities of food and; their ability to follow a human pointing gesture to an object.

Photo Credit: Dr Angela Driscoll/Kinloch Sheepdogs

The researchers found that dogs that did well on one test tended be better at the other tests. Furthermore, dogs that did tests faster were likely to do them more accurately.

The series of tests were conducted in under an hour per dog, which is comparable with the time it takes a person to do an IQ-type test. Again highlighting similarities between man and his best friend.

Speaking of the findings Dr Rosalind Arden, a Research Associate at LSE, said: “Just as people vary in their problem solving abilities, so do dogs, even within one breed. This is significant because in humans there is a small but measureable tendency for people who are brighter to be healthier and live longer. So if, as our research suggests, dog intelligence is structured similarly to ours, studying a species that doesn’t smoke, drink, use recreational drugs and does not have large differences in education and income, may help us understand this link between intelligence and health better.”

She continued, “In addition, dogs are one of the few animals that reproduce many of the key features of dementia, so understanding their cognitive abilities could be valuable in helping us to understand the causes this disorder in humans and possibly test treatments for it.”

February 9, 2016
These 10 Dogs Would Love a Home to Call Their Own for the New Year – Could It Be With You?

As another year draws to a close, the UK’s animal rescue and charity system has experienced yet another rise in dogs being abandoned and taken into care, according to the UK’s largest dog adoption site, www.dogsblog.com.

But there is hope for the dogs currently sitting in kennels and foster homes across the UK, and that’s the hope that someone out there is looking for a dog just like them.

Here are 10 dogs who are looking for a loving new home to call their own in 2016, could it be with you? If you know someone who’s thinking of getting a dog please do share far and wide. Your share could be the one which helps their dream of a forever home come to life.

Meet Benny!

Benny’s a beautiful 3 year old brawny, active Staffie boy who has spent over a year in rescue waiting for a new home to call his own.

We are confident that with lashings of TLC, some encouragement and patience a true friend and great pet is waiting underneath his sometimes nervous exterior. Once on his walk, Benny enjoys taking in the air and keeps a cracking pace comfortable with human company and would be best suited to experienced owners who can work with him and in an environment with older children.

Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/benny-38/

Meet Ripple!

Ripple is 1 year old and a English Springer Spaniel cross who is as fun loving as she is gorgeous. She has long legs and doesn’t really act like a Spaniel so could have some sighthound in her.

We are looking for a calm home that can continue with her training. She can get very excitable around children, so we are looking for an adult only home or a family with teenage children.

Could she be the ripple to your raspberry?

Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/ripple-5/

Meet Norman!

Norman is a 7 month old Doberman boy who’s legs clearly belong to another bigger dog or possibly a giraffe! He is going to be a big boy and this should definitely be something to consider.

A fan of the Christmas jumper trend, we are looking for a home that already has a resident dog to show Norman the ropes and continue his love of doggy company and is fine with cats. He can live with children over 7 years old as he is still a goofball puppy.

Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/norman-17/

Meet Precious!

Precious is a 3 year old small, female Chihuahua cross Shih Tzu. She’s a girl of few words who’s looking for a home with lots of cuddles and in return she’ll repay you with bucket loads of love.

Being so small, she’s looking for a home without larger dogs and would be best suited in a home without small furries.

Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/precious-5/

Meet Sherman!

Sherman is an adorable 14 year old Parson Russell Terrier boy who is in an Oldies Club foster home in Lincoln, waiting for someone to offer him a permanent home. He would make a wonderful companion for an older person who he can snuggle up with, once he trusts them. Life is very much on Sherman’s terms (and who can blame him!).

Sherman’s favourite pastimes: Eating and sleeping, with occasional bursts of energy playing with his fosterer’s little Yorkie. He also likes squeaky toys, but they don’t last long.

Sherman has been good with his foster carer’s grandchildren aged 10+. He should be fine to live with sensible older children who will allow Sherman to do his own thing.

Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/sherman-4/

Meet Alice!

Pretty Alice is a friendly and happy young medium sized tan and white 13 month old Podenco girl, with a cheeky loving character. A very lovely girl and standing about as big as a Springer Spaniel. She was abandoned in a box on the pavement outside a shop at only 4 weeks of age.

She is very intelligent, and learns quickly and would easily take to obedience or agility. She has a comical air about her and she keeps her foster carers laughing with her antics. Alice loves her cuddles as you can see and is fine with other dogs but isn’t keen on cats (sorry cats!).

Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/alice-32/

Meet Badger & Bowen!

Badger and Bowen are two 10 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Sharpei’s brothers who are looking for a loving new home together. This beautiful double act have come into the Leicester centre as their owner could no longer care for them.

They are medium sized, neutered dogs and such happy souls, full of spirit and can’t wait to get back into a home and a routine. They are very friendly, a little too enthusiastic sometimes but are just eager to love everyone they meet!

They LOVE to play and would need a supply of non-destructive toys to enjoy and an active new home where they could continue their adventures together meeting new people and other dogs along the way.

Find out more about the boys here: http://www.dogsblog.com/badger-bowen/

Meet Cinnamon!

Cinnamon is a gorgeous 6 month old female Lurcher cross with a Collie (we think). She is a wonderful, friendly, playful girl and all she wants to do is play, cuddle, run, play some more.

She’s a fantastic all rounder, great with everyone and other dogs. What a super personality lovely Cinnamon has. Everybody who’s met her loves her – could she be the one for you?

Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/cinnamon-2/

Meet Milo!

Milo is a one year old standard Chihuahua, who is being fostered in South Wales but can be rehomed to the right home anywhere in the UK.

Milo is large for his breed and there is potential that he has some terrier in him, but we are not 100% sure of this. He’s a gorgeous boy, who’s also a handful having no real manners and little socialisation until arriving in rescue. But he is young and so can be taught while he grows, and he’ll repay you in spades for all you teach.

Milo is very active and loves going out for his daily walks and can walk for miles and miles. In the evening he is contented to curl up on a lap or sofa to watch TV with his humans.

Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/milo-159/

Meet Holly!

Holly is the most beautiful girl with ears almost as big as her personality, she’s just super. She is the most beautiful, obedient, Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross French Bulldog and we think she’s approximately 5 years old.

She came to us from the council pound as an unclaimed stray, she was due to be put to sleep and so we took her in, as such we have no previous history for her.

In foster care she is impressing everyone she meets, she is always on your lap wanting cuddles. She is fantastic on and off the lead, brilliant with other dogs but untested with cats.

She is not food aggressive and will not steal other dogs food. She enjoys a good play session with a ball and is eager to please.

Find out more about her: http://www.dogsblog.com/holly-153/

You can find many more dogs of different ages and breeds all looking for a loving new forever home online at www.dogsblog.com

#bring joy, adopt a dog!

December 31, 2015
Dogs & Divorce: How a Relationship Breakdown Can Affect Dogs

“Where have you been all night?”

Enquires Mrs Fido when her husband comes home late one night.

“I’ve been in the alley all night playing with the bins.” He replies taken aback.

“Don’t give me that,” she snaps. “You’ve been sniffing around that poodle again haven’t you?”

“No, I swear I was just with my mates.” Mr Fido replies uncomfortably shifting his weight from one paw to the other.

“My mother warned me about you.” She moans, pressing a paw to her forehead. “Look at you! You’ve got lipstick on your collar!”

“That’s it.” Mr Fido growls as he marches towards the kennel door, barging it open with his nose. “I’ve had enough of your fishwifery, I’m leaving you!”

*SLAM!*

…Okay, it’s an unlikely scenario but divorce and its effect on dogs is a very serious matter and one that more Britons are having to face up to every day By Dan Laurikietis.

Those of us whose parents separated when we were young know how it feels to be caught in the middle of a divorce. Disorientated, frightened, insecure and torn between the two people who have shaped you in your formative years and been a part of every major event in your life.

This is a predicament shared by children and dogs alike. A divorce can take its toll on our furry friends every bit as much as on a child.

Since every dog is unique different dogs will react in different ways but the dog’s reaction can depend on their age and amount of training as well as breed, history and other aspects.

In this country divorce statistics are showing an alarming increase.

A government survey showed that in 2001 a staggering 143,818 divorces were granted in England and Wales and the 4.8 million dog owning households in the country are no exception. It is a sad fact that all over the world couples are separating leaving their pets caught in the middle.

Even in the news and gossip columns we see examples of this, notably Les Dennis and Amanda Holden were engaged in a custody battle over their pet dogs, despite their amicable divorce.

Dogs whose owners get divorced often end up at best disorientated and lonely or at worst homeless. Indeed, an increasingly large amount of dogs given in to pet shelters are handed in on the grounds of divorce.

Dogs are very dependent creatures and being man’s best friend their emotional investment in us is as prominent as their need for the food and shelter that we provide them. Legal procedure for pet custody is very different to child custody. Ownership of the pet will go to the partner proven as the legal owner regardless of who will be able to give the dog a better home.

In legal term the dogs are essentially a material posession, nothing more, nothing less. As is sadly the case in most legal matters monetary value outweighs that of sentiment. Higher wage earners will invariably have to invest more time and attention on their job than their dog.

We should never underestimate the sensitivity of our four legged companions. The dog will be able to sense the emotional tension leading up to and during divorce, which in turn can lead to the dog/s feeling uncomfortable which in turn can manifest itself in behavioural changes.

In cases involving two or more dogs, if the dogs are separated they will miss each other as well as their estranged masters. A seemingly minor change to a human’s lifestyle could affect the dog on a far larger scale. For example a house wife or husband is obliged to find a job following divorce, the lack of company and attention now availed to the pet can be deeply depressing. Changes in location are also very important.

Dogs being very territorial creatures will respond with bewilderment and frustration following a drastic change in scenery. Couple this with Rover’s primal need to mark this strange new territory as his own and you mustn’t be surprised to tread in a puddle every now and then.

The environment the dog is moved to must also be considered, much like when you first considered bringing it into your home. Moving from a semi detached house to a high rise flat will result in far less space for the dog to explore and no back yard to be exercised in (unless the dog is so small it can run around a window box).

We humans can make this difficult transitional period infinitely easier for our wet nosed friends simply by considering how their needs will be catered for following the separation. Making the minimum possible amount of changes to your dog’s lifestyle can help to ensure against behavioural problems which could complicate life further for everybody. It is also important for the dog to have regular contact with both divorcees much like children. Fido has feelings too you know!

December 11, 2015
Dog Owners Need to Beware of this Autumn Danger – Acorns

An acorn poisoning warning has been issued to animal owners by the RSPCA who are urging farmers, smallholders, and dog owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms of acorn poisoning.

Acorns fall from oak trees between September and November and are an important source of food for many birds and some mammals, such as squirrels, but for many animals – including our beloved pets and livestock – they are extremely poisonous, and because of climate change they are set to ripen 10-13 days earlier.

Why acorns are poisonous to dogs

Many animals are susceptible to Quercus – or oak bud/acorn – poisoning, but cattle and sheep are affected most often. However, horses and dogs can become very ill if they consume acorns or oak leaves.

Most species of oak are considered toxic. If animals eat young oak leaves, during the spring, or acorns, during the autumn, symptoms of poisoning can begin to display within hours or after several days. However, if you are concerned that your animal has eaten anything that could be poisonous, rather than waiting for any symptoms to appear, you should consult a veterinary surgeon immediately.

Symptoms of acorn poisoning may vary between species, but include vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness, depression, rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, tiredness and dehydration.

Acorns appear to contain tannins (a type of biomolecule) which get converted to acids in the rumen, these then cause ulcerations in the digestive tract leading to bloody diarrhoea. These acids also damage the kidneys, causing them to stop working so toxins which are normally excreted in the urine build up in the body and cause problems in the brain and the rest of the body, and can ultimately result in death.

Dogs have also been known to fall ill if they have eaten acorns

Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animals department, said: “It is difficult to watch your dog’s every movement but if owners are concerned that their dog will show interest in, or eat, acorns then it would be best to find a different place to exercise their dog away from where oak trees are present or take along something really tasty like a toy or treat so that their pet can be easily distracted and recalled.”

Although rarely reported, according to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), there have been some cases of severe acorn poisoning in horses. They can suffer from a range of symptoms, including colic, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, weakness, head pressing, and incoordination.

If you are concerned your animal may have been poisoned, contact the vet and tell them when, where and how the poisoning occurred.

Follow the vet’s advice and never attempt to treat or medicate your pet yourself. Never attempt to make your dog vomit on your own and do not use salt water.

November 7, 2015
British Pet Food Company Win Three Prestigious Awards

British pet food manufacturer, Nutriment, recently announched it’s nomination for three prestigious awards as the company took another step forward for premium pet food.

Nutriment founder, Suzanne Brock, was short-listed as one of three finalists for The Artemis Award for this December’s prestigious ‘NatWest everywoman awards’, a high profile accolade with Prime Minister approval that seeks to showcase the very best female founder talent that Great Britain has to offer.

As a single mother, Suzanne is only too aware of the significant challenges associated with juggling the needs of young children and launching a ground-breaking business. The awards were first launched 13 years ago with the very specific role of challenging out-moded mindsets and providing a credible back catalogue of inspirational and accessible role models for future female founders to liaise with and aspire to.

If this wasn’t exciting enough Nutriment also reached the final stages of November’s ‘UK Start-Ups & Pet Industry Federation’ (PIF) awards.

According to Suzanne, ‘As a premium pet food provider PIF unquestionably sits at the very pinnacle of award recognition. This said, as an ambitious fledgling business we’re over the moon that our promising arrival within Britain’s blossoming premium pet food fraternity has been recognized by such prestigious awards as Start Ups and everywoman because the UK’s growing band of successful, independently-owned pet food providers is a phenomenal story just waiting to be told.’

UPDATE

Congratulations to Suzanne and the Nutriment team from all at K9 Magazine on winning both awards! They are two accolades that really resonate with single mum Suzanne, because it was only back in 2013 that she and her mother had no alternative but to remortgage their respective houses in order to get their ‘pet’ Nutriment project off the ground when her local bank lost its nerve at the 11th hour.

Suzanne, pictured here winning her NatWest everywoman award

As hard as the bank’s heavy-handed actions were to stomach at the time, a reflective Suzanne remains adamant that their reticence was integral to Nutriment’s subsequent success.

‘I learned early on to be very careful about who I trusted, which has led to me being blessed with a close-knit team, whose never-say-die mindset and infectious energy have been at the very heart of Nutriment’s ongoing success.’
Nutriment is certainly no flash-in-the-pan operation with three successful range launches bedded down in 2015 and more ground-breaking initiatives ready to roll in 2016.

‘Yes there have certainly been times when I craved a bigger war chest to participate in such a competitive UK pet food marketplace, but in truth, it’s made me more disciplined with regards to which projects I prioritize and which I put on the backburner for a little longer.’

November 5, 2015
Did My Dog’s Food Nearly Kill my Best Friend?

On a Sunday evening in July 2009, I was using my computer and my 5 year old Samoyed Bundy came in shaking his head (he had left my room approximately 15 mins earlier). I thought he was bringing me the ball because he wanted to play. He was also pawing at his mouth, so I thought he must have something stuck in his mouth. I had a look but couldn’t see anything. I knew something was seriously wrong so I jumped in the car and raced to the nearest 24 hour vet as fast as I could with Bundy in the back, still acting strangely with his head.

Luckily, the roads were empty and there was no one waiting at the vet. As we were led into the examination room, Bundy collapsed on the floor and was trembling all over. I then had to go back to the waiting room while they attended to him in the back. After a wait, I was led to the back where Bundy was in a cage and flailing about uncontrollably, which was very distressing for both him and me. I understand the vet gave him a shot of pentobarbital to knock him out. After another wait, I eventually went home but, obviously, I couldn’t sleep.

The next day, when I visited him, he was lying on a bed with lots of tubes and machines attached. He was unconscious but his paws and face were still twitching. It was tearing me apart to see him like that but I stayed for a few hours and held his paw, because I didn’t think he was going to make it. I don’t think the vets were very optimistic either because he was developing asperatic pneumonia.

I visited him every day and stayed for a few hours but I realised that the nurses have other animals to look after and duties to perform so I didn’t want to get in their way by staying longer. The vets and nurses that treated him gave him the best of care and I’m very grateful.

He remained unconscious for 3 or 4 days which, I’m told, is not usual but not unheard of either. The vets there treated him with a cocktail of drugs to try to control his twitching. They recommended sending him to a specialist centre so, after about 5 days, I drove him in the back of my car. He was still unconscious so a vet nurse sat with him, assisting with the oxygen.

The vets at the specialist centre ran a multitude of generalised tests including MRI and spinal taps but the results were inconclusive. After a day or so, he started to come around, semi conscious, but still twitching. The next day I visited, he was finally awake and when he saw me he started to whine with all the energy his weak body could muster, he could barely move but he still wanted to lick me and it became very emotional for both of us. Within a week, he got more responsive and stronger every day and was then allowed home.

As Bundy is 5 years old, epileptic fits were a possibility but I’m told that they do not last for 3+ days and the MRI brain scan had ruled out a brain tumour.

The vets that treated him thought it was likely he had come into contact with a toxin that acted on his nervous system. I wracked my brains as to what that could be as I wanted answers. The day of the episode, we went for a walk (on lead) at about 5 pm then he was shut inside the house and had his food about 6pm. There was no access to the garden and there are no chemicals around the house.

The previous day, I had put a new tick collar on him and noticed a very strong smell coming from it. I assumed that this must be the cause of Bundy’s condition somehow so I didn’t put another back on him.

When he was back home, I was feeding him brand new packets of his usual dry dog food that he likes and has had for years but, before the first episode, I had bought a different brand of food just for a change and added this to his usual food in a container, one that he had never had before (not sure if I can say the brand name, for legal reasons, but possibly the biggest and most popular brand in the world and the name is something to do with a dog’s heritage). Anyway, after a few weeks of feeding him brand new usual food strait out of the packet, I went back to adding some of his previous food on top. Within that week, he had a serious case of diahorreoa but I thought that could just be down to the drugs he was on.

A few days later (coincidentally, again on a Sunday night and about 2 hours later in the evening than the first episode), I noticed Bundy looking at me strangely and his legs were shaking. I immediately knew what was wrong and I drove him down to the specialist centre where he was again in intensive care for a week or so.

He came home very weak but, today, over six months later he is fit and healthy apart from his legs sometimes shaking when he stands. Obviously, there appears to be some residual nerve damage.

The vets at the specialist centre ran more tests the second time but still nothing was remarkable.

The four different vets that treated him between the two veterinary clinics and both episodes suspected intoxication by organophosphates, metaldehyde, (slug bait) or mycotoxins.

It was after this second occurrence that I realised that this new brand of dog food was the only common factor in both these cases. Perhaps it was contaminated?

I contacted the company that makes the dog food and arranged for an approximate 1kg sample to be sent off (but unfortunately I didn’t have the bag and batch code). The sample I sent did have small amounts of Bundy’s usual dog food mixed in (other brand). I sent it like this because this new food was added on top of his old food in a container and I wanted to know if they would even notice or just throw it away but, surprisingly, they did notice. I think, because of this, they did not run any tests.

A guy qualified in veterinary science, and who works for the dog food company, dealing with complaints of this nature, sent me a letter saying he had contacted my vet and discussed the causes of ‘tremorgens’ (a group of mycotoxins). These have been associated with Blue cheese, walnuts and compost as well as others and it was unlikely that their product was responsible.

Fortunately, Bundy has not been fed or been near those stated substances.

When I leave the house Bundy stays inside and he is always walked on a lead, he only goes into the garden if I go into the garden and the last time I saw a slug was about 10 years ago so he has very little chance of ever coming across something I don’t know about.

After a few weeks, I contacted the company’s vet again for the results of the test. I understand the tests didn’t show up anything abnormal. I wasn’t surprised at the company’s response because no company is ever going to test their own product and say something is wrong with it. He suggested that it was just one of those unexplained things, which I would have believed for the first episode but it is too coincidental for the second.

I got a bit annoyed with this guy because the way he dismissed my reasoning seemed arrogant.

He said that because they hadn’t had any other complaints, there was obviously nothing wrong with the batch and he also said that was the end of the matter and there was nothing else they would do.

Not being content with this dismissal or his arrogant and patronising attitude, I contacted a more senior person at the company and spoke to a technical director and arranged for another sample to be tested (I only had a handful left). He said it would be sent to Singapore, would take about 6 weeks and would cost a bit of money.

While I was waiting for these tests to be performed, I decided to conduct my own research into probable causes (something I should have done earlier) and discovered a few scientific papers freely available on the internet about Mycotoxins affecting dogs.

Roughly speaking, Mycotoxins are a group of toxins that form as a result of mould on numerous organic sources and can be deadly and cause a number of different conditions to both humans and animals. They can be found in both cereals and dry dog food, a fact which was omitted from the letter I was sent.

Either the veterinary guy dealing with my complaint has limited knowledge of these potential killers (for someone in his position, this seems very remiss) or he was fully aware of the potential problems but decided to keep quiet so as not to open a can of worms.

I did provide an email link to all of the papers (listed below) but it would appear that neither of the people I have been in contact with has read them, as they have subsequently provided no comment.

A number of the cases reported in the papers show clinical symptoms which are nearly identical to Bundy’s condition and, when biological samples from the dogs were analysed, Roquefortine and Penitrem A were detected and suspected as the probable cause.

A few weeks later, I received in the post the results of the sample testing (it had been sent to a lab in Victoria, not Singapore). Only four tests were performed: two types of mycotoxin, namely Aflatoxin B1 and Patulin, and also lead and permethrin.

I consider this test to be irrelevant and inconclusive due to the fact the very small sample size was statistically insignificant and they failed to test for any of the mycotoxins that are linked to tremors in dogs.(apparently there are over 30 known)

The dog food company’s sole defence was based around the fact that they apparently hadn’t received complaints of a similar nature and that their quality control is of a very high standard, and perhaps it was the other brand of dog food that caused it?

Addressing this statement, my research has indicated that detection and confirmation of mycotoxin poisoning has been grossly under diagnosed and, as far as I am aware, the specialist centre that treated Bundy did not test for this possibility. (I’m not even sure there is a commercial laboratory in Australia that tests for most of the different types).

In my case, it was only after the second episode that I realised that this brand of dog food was the only common factor that was likely to be responsible and it is possible that many dogs that have a single episode of unexplained acute toxicoses unfortunately die or have to be euthanized due to excessive trauma, poor prognosis and/or lack of financial resources so a confirmed diagnosis and connection to the dog food is not made and hence it is not reported back to the company.

While I’m confident that their quality control is of a high standard, it is unlikely that it is one hundred percent reliable and variations in the materials and process can be expected in any product.

After doing further research I discovered a Uni in the USA (Iowa State) that specialises in veterinary medicine and also test for the two mycotoxins I’m interested in, namely Roquefortine and Penitrem A.

I spoke to a Professor of toxicology from the department and he believed that mycotoxins are not well understood and not commercially tested for because of lack of demand. I provided him with bundy’s Vet case notes and his story and he confirmed that it did indeed fit with mycotoxin poisoning.

I sent a 1kg sample of Bundy’s original food to be tested at my own expense, the test came back negative so I can be fairly confident that it wasn’t the other brand to blame which I believed was the case anyway because of the timing. THIS IS WHAT THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TESTED FOR!

This whole incident has caused me a great deal of stress, and some days I couldn’t eat or sleep properly.

I feel that the company didn’t take my claims seriously and underestimated two important factors:

1. When I think I am right, I don’t give in.
2. I won’t let anyone hurt my dog and get away with it.

I spent most of my college fund on Bundy’s vet bills and, as he means everything in the world to me, I will do whatever it takes to protect and look after him.

I am convinced that this brand is responsible and I want them to reimburse my vet bills and make it up to Bundy somehow but I realise that posting this statement and contacting the media in other ways will effectively put an end to any chances of financial restitution. However, I will take some comfort in the hope that this might provide an explanation and quicker diagnosis to future apparent toxic poisonings.

I also feel I have been very fair and patient with the company in question and gave them every opportunity to do the right thing but, at every stage, they have seemed intent on absolving themselves from any responsibility. I can only conclude that from the irrelevant sample tests that either the company is grossly incompetent or they deliberately tried to mislead me.

If my dog had died as a result of this, I would probably be standing outside the company’s headquarters with a placard saying that their food was responsible for poisoning my dog.

My advice would be that, if your dog exhibits any acute tremors or seizure symptoms, like Bundy had, then get the vet to check for Mycotoxins (though this might be difficult in some countries) and to keep the dog food bags for future evidence if need be.

As Bundy is a Samoyed and they are not common here, perhaps he could be more genetically pre-disposed to toxins that other breeds?

If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer a different explanation, I would welcome a response.

UPDATE: 12th Feb. 2010

I decided to contact consumer affairs and they passed me onto the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (P.F.I.A .A) and spoke to the executive manager. I provided him with Bundy’s history and my concerns and he contacted the company and said he was satisfied with their response.

It was only after I explored their website that I read their Statement of Purpose

#1 “To promote the prepared pet food industry in general and the interests of the members of the association.”

So this guy had a conflict of interest to do anything about it as I understand the association is funded by its members.

A few days later I contacted the company again and put a few questions to the guy I spoke to many times before (manager, veterinary services).

I asked him, how many people have to complain about a product before they admit responsibility.

Unsurprisingly he failed to specifically answer. He just reiterated what he said many times before, that no one else has complained of this problem so it is not their responsibility. Imagine if you went to the doctor with an ailment and they said, “Well no one else has complained of this so nothing I can do.”

I also asked why he failed to test for Tremorgenic Mycotoxins in the samples I provided. His response was that they only had a small sample and they wanted to test for as wide range as possible? (a wide range of the toxins that don’t cause tremors?)

When I pointed out that I had spoken to and expert and had the other brand properly tested for tremorgenic mycotoxins he didn’t want to know and said it was irrelevant and rudely concluded our conversation.

Thanks to other forum members I can see that in other countries they have had serious problems with contamination of their dog food products with salmonella and melamine. Anyone would have to be crazy to feed their dog this companies products.

To me it is obvious that the dog food is responsible and the company has done nothing to prove otherwise.

Craig W. 2009.

References;

Bennett, J.W, & Klich, M. (2003) Mycotoxins. Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164220/

Bough, M, (2006) Toxicology Brief: “Tremorgenic Mycotoxicosis in Dogs”. Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://www.compendiumvet.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=F0E2AE6B0B7E437588DFCF8A9FCA8CAC&nm=CE+Programs&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=60963CBCF74D4156BBFCA2595B06714C&AudID=43A035C1ADDF4F5F823E087E3BEE4975

Eriksen et al, (2009) Poisoning of dogs with tremorgenic Penicillium toxins. Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13693780903225821

Hocking, A.D, Holds, K, Tobin, N.F, (1988) Intoxication by tremorgenic mycotoxin (penitrem A) in a dog. Viewed 19th December 2009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3401148?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=10

Lowes, N.R, Smith, R.A, Beck, B.E (1992) Roquefortine in the stomach contents of dogs suspected of strychnine poisoning in Alberta. Viewed 19th December 2009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1481371/pdf/canvetj00057-0057.pdf

Schell, M.M, (2000), Tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication. Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://www2.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_0400.pdf?docID=113

Virginia Maryland Veterinary Notes (2005), Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/engagement/ext/pub/VetNotes_115.pdf

Walter,S.L, (2002), Acute penitrem A and roquefortine poisoning in a dog. Viewed 19th Dec 2009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC339273/?referer=www.clickfind.com.au

October 13, 2015
5 Amazing Dog Hacks Every Owner Should Know About

1. For most dogs they have a discreet feature connecting their body to their heads. It is called the neck. The dog’s neck is almost custom made to fit a range of collars and leads. No longer do you have to take your dog out on to a busy high street and let him walk in a dangerous (and illegal) manner, frightening worried onlookers as you ‘show off’ what a great dog owner you are by allowing your dog to walk ahead of or behind you and risking your dog causing an accident/being killed simply because you’re ‘too good’ to put your pet on a leash in public.

2. Most towns and cities have a small to medium sized building out of which a group of specially trained animal experts work. They are known as veterinarians and they have a fair to good understanding of many ailments and problems affecting dogs. With this knowledge, the next time your dog is showing signs of being genuinely ill, in discomfort, pain or close to death as a result of an injury or sickness you no longer have to ask for the advice of random people in your Facebook friend’s circle as to what to do about your dog who is clearly in desperate need of professional attention. So instead of posting a status update like,”My dog was stung by a bee and is now violently convulsing on the kitchen floor. What should I do? lol.” You can instead use the internet to find the address of one of these small buildings where veterinarians work from and they will actually be able to physically do something to stop your dog suffering.

3. Most dogs require food and water to operate in a functional and efficient manner. As a result they will sometimes need to demonstrate the full workings of a mammalian digestive system, leading to them depositing small parcels of digested food from the tiny hole that sits neatly at the base of the dog’s spine. In order to prepare for this quirky little habit, a small bag can be used to neatly collect the dog’s deposit which can then be safely placed in a refuse bin rather than simply gawking in amazement at how astonishing your dog’s bowel movements are before walking off and leaving a nasty pile of warmed up excrement for everyone else to navigate around.

4. Referring to hack number one, now you know about the head-to-body connection device on your dog – the neck – when your canine is running merrily in a public place and makes a beeline toward other dogs, people, children or wildlife you can avoid accidents, injuries and all round distress by teaching your dog to come back to you (a hack known as ‘dog training’) and utilising your dog’s head-to-body connection feature by temporarily installing a leash, thus giving you full control over your dog’s movements. This is a great way to avoid your dog getting bitten or preventing your own dog from playfully attempting to remove other dog’s heads from their own head-to-body connection mounts.

5. Most dogs have a great internal intelligence unit. It is commonly referred to as their brain. They use this device for learning and remembering things, things that you have the ability to input. One of the best uses of the internal intelligence unit is its ability to respond to clear, consistent commands which are then followed up with acknowledgements by you such as giving the dog something they enjoy. The internal intelligence unit has not yet been effectively modified enough to respond to repeated shouting from you as you stand, slack-jawed, observing your dog from a great distance whilst you simultaneously carry out a conversation on your mobile phone pausing randomly to bellow toward your run-away canine companion who is in the process of terrorising all pets, people and animals at a distance of about 1,000 yards from where you are.

Bonus hack: Your dog’s internal intelligence unit rarely breaks down. If your dog’s appears to have malfunctioned and the person standing opposite you behind the reception desk of your nearest animal shelter is nodding politely and seems to give the impression that this sort of thing happens regularly, it’s because they are being polite and they are nodding and smiling as they suppress the urge to inform you that they have goldfish in their care who are better informed and mentally adroit than you. The reality is, your dog does not need to be rehomed because ‘he’s too much of a handful’, it’s more the case that your own internal intelligence unit not fit for purpose.

Various examples of dogs with brilliantly functioning internal intelligence unit’s can be found at dogsblog.com.

September 8, 2015

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